Barack Obama endorses Stacey Abrams for governor of Georgia

President Barack Obama has endorsed Stacey Abrams for governor of Georgia. Read his statement of support below:

“I am so excited to endorse Stacey Abrams for Governor of Georgia. She’s not running a campaign built on division or distraction; she’s running to lead one Georgia where everybody has opportunity, and everybody’s voice is heard. And she’s got the record of building consensus that shows she can deliver – with good jobs, great public education, expanded Medicaid, and secure, affordable health insurance for everyone. In a time when too many folks are focused simply on how to win an election, Stacey’s somebody who cares about something more important: why we should. That’s the kind of politics we should practice. That’s why I’m proud to give Stacey Abrams my support.”

“It is a profound honor to receive President Obama’s endorsement,” said Democratic nominee for governor of Georgia Stacey Abrams. “President Obama’s legacy is marked by integrity, a deep commitment to service, and an ability to find solutions that put the well-being of people first. I am grateful for his support as I continue a campaign for governor grounded in hope, optimism, and a boundless belief that we can do more to make sure every family in Georgia has the opportunity to thrive.”

Wow, people are actually questioning Lebron's reasons for opening the I Promise School

By George L. Cook III African American Reports

Now let me state right from the start in the interest of full disclosure by making it clear that I am no Lebron James (the basketball player) fan. I'll admit that I'm a hater. Lebron may go down one day as the GOAT, but as far as I'm concerned, he has only won ONE ring because Dwyane Wade was holding his hand when he won the other two. See, that's the level of hate that I'm on.

But even a Lebron hater like myself has no choice but to give accolades to Lebron James (The Man) for opening up the I Promise School in Akron, Ohio. But apparently, there are those cynics among us who while they give credit for the opening of the school question James motives for doing it.

On my Facebook feed someone accused James of just opening the school to get a tax break. Not only that but someone co-signed that nonsense. (you know who you are.)

Here are three reasons why I don't believe that James opening a school was just about a tax break:

Reason #1: Lebron doesn't care about taxes.

I don't think Lebron is worried about taxes if he was he wouldn't be headed to California with its high taxes nor would he have left Florida where there is no personal income tax. Yeah he wouldn't have won another ring, but he would have saved millions.

Reason #2: There are easier ways to get a tax break.

L.B. could have just got together with some educational types and opened a charter school and be done with it, but he didn't do that. The I Promise School is not a charter but a traditional school that is part of the Akron Public School system that means he has to deal with the local teacher's union and the school board. The school takes in at-risk students which means that issues like hunger, emotional problems, and homelessness must be dealt with. That's a lot for someone trying to get a tax write off.

Reason #3: This is a very personal thing for Lebron James.

If you have heard any of the interviews with James he doesn't give anecdotal evidence or point to studies to show why he is doing what he does for these students. He looks to his personal experiences as a young kid in Akron.

When asked about why the school offered free breakfast and lunch James didn't start off by saying talking about what some study showed, he talked about how he couldn't focus when he was hungry. Those memories drive this young man to help other. so they don't have to go through the hunger and homelessness that he dealt with as a child.

Have we become so jaded that we can't understand why a man would do good to help others? Have we become so cynical that we can't understand that a child who suffered grew into a man that wants to stop others from hurting? If you have become that cynical and jaded then the problem is with you and not Lebron James.

Well I for one haven't, and I appreciate what Lebron James is doing for the children of his community.

Lebron may not finish with as many championships as other great NBA players, but he'll be in an exclusive class of great human beings with Muhammad Ali, Jackie Robinson, and Bill Russell.

THANK YOU LEBRON JAMES!

By George L. Cook III

Octavia Spencer & Lebron James bringing ‘Madam C.J. Walker’ series to Netflix

Octavia Spencer’s next project is a literal rags-to-riches story. The Oscar winner will executive produce and star in “Madam C.J. Walker,” a limited series on Netflix that tells the true story of the woman who went from washing clothes to becoming one of the very few African-American female millionaires of the early 20th century. LeBron James will also serve as one of the executive producers.

Ms. Walker decided to enter the hair-care industry at a time when few products were geared toward black women. Around 1906 she started her own business and soon created lines of hair straighteners, hair-growth elixirs, shampoos and pomades. As she earned riches and respect in the business world — extremely rare achievements for a black woman at the time — she gave back thousands to the N.A.A.C.P., the Tuskegee Institute, churches and Y.M.C.A.s; she also delivered lectures and helped organize protests against inequality and violence toward African-Americans.

The Netflix series is based on a 2001 biography of Ms. Walker by A’Lelia Bundles, her great-great granddaughter.

The project is being spearheaded by Ms. Spencer, who won an Oscar for her role in “The Help” and has since starred in “Hidden Figures” and “The Shape of Water.” “Since making ‘Hidden Figures,’ I don’t have a problem saying to a room of male executives: ‘I need a female writer or a female director,’ or ‘I need a black voice or a Latin voice,’” she said in a Times interview in 2016.

The news was announced at a Television Critics Association press tour on Sunday. Kasi Lemmons (“Talk to Me”) will direct the first episode, and LeBron James will serve as one of the executive producers. The eight-episode series does not yet have a release date.

[SOURCE: NYTIMES]

US Rep. John Lewis released from hospital with 'clean bill of health'

After a health scare, civil rights icon and US Rep. John Lewis of Georgia was released from the hospital Sunday evening with a "clean bill of health," his spokeswoman said.

"All tests have been completed," Brenda Jones said in a statement. "He thanks everyone who shared their thoughts, prayers and concerns during his stay."

Lewis became ill Saturday on a flight to Atlanta, CNN affiliate WSB-TV reported, quoting unnamed sources.

Lewis, 78, has represented Georgia's 5th Congressional District, which includes much of Atlanta, since first being elected in 1986.

[SOURCE: CNN]

Lebron James "I Promise" school to open on July 30, 2018

Feel free to criticize Lebron James, the NBA superstar about his game or going from team to team, but one thing you can't do is criticize Lebron James the MAN and the ACTIVIST! Other people talk "stuff," Mr. James does "stuff" to help black and brown underprivileged children succeed in life. You can't be mad at that.

LeBron James expects Monday to be one of the greatest moments of his life as his LeBron James Family Foundation and the Akron (Ohio) Public Schools launch a new elementary school for at-risk children in his hometown.

The I Promise School is the culmination of nearly a decade of work by James' foundation, with its focus on educating children from challenging situations or backgrounds. The school will begin with two grades, third and fourth, with plans to expand in the coming years.

James' life was turned around between fourth and fifth grade, when he had perfect attendance, thanks to the intervention of the Walker family. In 1993, the Walkers took James in and encouraged his education at a city school in Akron.

James is now trying to act in that role by donating millions to the project and securing support from corporate and educational sponsors.

The I Promise School has a longer school day and longer school year. More than 40 staff members will attempt to accelerate the development of children who qualify for the program based on performance and socioeconomic factors.

For those who complete the program, which has been operating for years, James has arranged for free tuition to the University of Akron starting in 2021. He has also created a program for parents of the at-risk children to return to complete their high school educations and has planned an institute to help prepare high-school-age students for college.

In all, James and his foundation leaders hope that more than 1,200 children will pass through the program and into college by 2029.

[SOURCE: ESPN]