Tayari Jones wins the 2019 Women’s Prize for Fiction

American author Tayari Jones has won the 2019 Women’s Prize for Fiction with her fourth novel An American Marriage.

At an awards ceremony hosted in Bedford Square Gardens, central London – hosted by novelist and Women’s Prize Founder Director, Kate Mosse – the 2019 Chair of Judges, Kate Williams presented the author with the £30,000 ($38,000) prize and the ‘Bessie’, a limited edition bronze figurine. Both are anonymously endowed.

Professor Kate Williams,Chair of Judges, said: “This is an exquisitely intimate portrait of a marriage shattered by racial injustice. It is a story of love, loss and loyalty, the resilience of the human spirit painted on a big political canvas – that shines a light on today’s America. We all loved this brilliant book.”

The Women’s Prize for Fiction – one of the biggest international celebrations of women’s creativity – is the UK’s only annual book award for fiction celebrating excellence, originality and accessibility in women’s writing from throughout the world.

Tayari Jones is the author of four novels, including Silver Sparrow, The Untelling, and Leaving Atlanta. Jones holds degrees from Spelman College, Arizona State University, and the University of Iowa. She serves on the MFA faculty at Rutgers and writes regular posts at www.tayarijones.com. She lives in Brooklyn.

An American Marriage

Celestial and Roy are a newlywed couple with a bright future; the embodiment of the American Dream and the New South. He is a young executive, and she is an artist on the brink of an exciting career. But as they settle into a routine, their lives are derailed by circumstances neither could have imagined. Roy is arrested and sentenced to twelve years for a crime Celestial knows he didn’t commit. Though fiercely independent, Celestial finds herself bereft and unmoored, taking comfort in Andre, her childhood friend, and best man at their wedding. As Roy’s time in prison passes, she is unable to hold on to the love she’s built her life around until now. After five years, Roy’s conviction is suddenly overturned, and he returns to Atlanta ready to resume their life together.

This is a powerful story about love and family, injustice and strength. Through An American Marriage Tayari Jones proves she is not just a masterful storyteller, but also a visionary writer, unafraid to address important issues about race, class and society head-on.

Mississippi Congressman Bennie Thompson supports impeachment.

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS 2nd District) believes President Trump should face impeachment.

Thompson, a Mississippi Democrat, released the following statement in response to special counsel Robert Mueller’s first public statement on the Russian investigation.

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— Bennie G. Thompson (@BennieGThompson) May 29, 2019

Richard Brown III, Anthony G. Stepney become first African-Americans to earn PGA Master Professional Designation

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – The PGA of America has announced that Richard Brown III, PGA Director of Instruction at Quail Valley Golf Course in Missouri City, Texas; and Anthony G. Stepney, Executive Director of APEX Development Partners in Orlando, Florida, are the first two African-Americans to earn PGA Master Professional status, the highest educational designation that can be obtained by a PGA Member.

Brown III, a 14-year PGA Member; and Stepney, a 12-year PGA Member, joined an esteemed group of just 428 PGA Professionals in the history of the PGA of America to have earned PGA Master Professional status. Currently, just one percent of the nearly 29,000 PGA Professionals have achieved the PGA Master Professional designation. Brown III is the first-ever African-American to achieve PGA Master Professional status, with a focus in Teaching & Coaching, while Stepney is the first African-American to achieve PGA Master Professional status in Player Development. 

The PGA Master Professional Program (MPP 2.0) is available to any of the PGA of America’s PGA Professionals who have achieved advanced certification through the PGA Certified Professional Program, which was launched in 2004. The curriculum is comprised of an extensive project based on the specific certification previously acquired by the PGA Professional. Upon approval of the project and successful completion of a presentation, a PGA Member will earn the prestigious PGA Master Professional status. To be eligible, the program requires a minimum of eight years of PGA Membership.

“The PGA of America is proud of Richard Brown and Anthony Stepney for accomplishing the highest education achievement a PGA Member can earn in becoming PGA Master Professionals,” said PGA President Suzy Whaley. “They are both leaders in the game and industry, and the example they are setting for their peers and the next generation of PGA Professionals is a tremendous standard of accomplishment.”

Richard Brown III, PGA, a member of the Southern Texas PGA Section, who earned PGA Certified Professional status in 2017, has been recognized as a U.S. Kids Top 50 Junior Instructor. He credits Calvin Peete, Lee Elder, Charlie Sifford, Jim Dent, Ted Rhodes, John Shippen and Bob Johnson for paving the way, allowing him the opportunity of becoming a PGA Professional. Brown III operates the Richard Brown School of Golf, where he offers a full lineup of player development programs for kids and adults.

“This achievement is a highlight of my career, but, it does not define my career,” said Brown III. “Yes, this accomplishment places me in rarified air, but I will continue to stay humble and hungry trying to be the best PGA Professional that I can be, to make the game better, one player at a time.”

Anthony G. Stepney, PGA, a member of the North Florida PGA Section, is the Executive Director of APEX Development Partners, an Orlando, Florida-based consulting firm that supports the broad-based developmental needs of organizations, including several golf companies and facilities throughout the country seeking strategic growth and increased profitability. In 2015, Stepney earned PGA Certified Professional status in Player Development. A year later, he was selected for the inaugural PGA LEAD Class, the Association’s leadership development program that identifies, mentors and progresses PGA Members from diverse backgrounds, who aspire to assume leadership positions in the Association.

“Achieving the prestigious PGA Master Professional designation is a pinnacle career accomplishment,” said Stepney. “I consider it an honor to be among the approximately one percent of the PGA of America’s 29,000 Professionals—and among only seven PGA Members who specialize in Player Development, including PGA President Suzy Whaley.”

Stepney’s Master Professional thesis focused on “Making the Business Case for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Golf Industry.” Themes from his final project demonstrated proven and pragmatic ways to grow and broaden the golf consumer base including: helping golf be more accessible and welcoming to a broader population; increasing the number of women, minorities and other underrepresented populations in the golf industry; and guiding members of the golf industry to think more broadly and be mindful of the varied dimensions of difference, among others. 

The PGA Master Professional Program (MPP 2.0) was established in 1969, to recognize PGA Members who have made a significant effort to improve as golf professionals and maintain the highest degree of excellence for themselves and their operations. As part of its Member education curriculum, the PGA MPP 2.0 program was designed to ensure PGA Professionals are prepared to meet the growing demands of the marketplace.

NAACP TO HOST 110TH NATIONAL CONVENTION IN DETROIT

NAACP to Highlight 110 Years of Civil Rights History, and the Current Fight for Voting Rights, Criminal Justice Reform, Economic Opportunity, Education Equality & More

BALTIMORE — Thousands are expected to gather in Detroit to commemorate the NAACP’s 110th National Convention from July 20-24, 2019. With the theme, “When We Fight, We Win,” the convention will bring together elected officials, members, organizers, faith-leaders, entertainers, and young leaders for workshops and discussions to promote solutions to problems like police brutality, racism, #LivingWhileBlack, voter suppression, partisan gerrymandering and sexual violence and mental health in the Black community.

“Much has changed since the creation of the NAACP 110 years ago, and as we highlight these achievements during this year’s convention, we cannot forget that we’re still tirelessly fighting against the hatred and bigotry that face communities of color in this country,” said Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO. “With new threats emerging daily and attacks on our democracy, the NAACP must be more steadfast and immovable than ever before to help create a social political atmosphere that works for all.”

Among the key events, the Presidential Candidates Forum, CEO Roundtable, LGBTQ, Legal and legislative workshops will bring together some of the brightest minds in the Black community and help hone strategies for moving forward in the face of growing racism and an all-out assault on civil rights in this country.

Other highlights include the awarding of the prestigious Spingarn Medal, the NAACP ACT-SO (Academic, Cultural, Technical and Scientific Olympics) final competition and awards ceremony, and a career fair.

More information about the 2019 NAACP National Convention, including a schedule of events and registration details can be found here.

Press interested in covering the convention may apply for credentials here.

Ayanna Pressley launches leadership PAC

U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley is launching a new leadership political action committee to help boost Democratic candidates — including those challenging incumbents.

The committee, called the Power of Us PAC, will also fund civic engagement efforts and help cultivate a diverse pipeline for community activists and organizers to access federal-level campaigns, something Pressley said is necessary to knock down barriers many newcomers face.

Learn more about the PAC and listen to Pressley talk about it below: