Chelesa Fearce went from homeless to Yale’s School of Medicine

Chelesa Fearce graduated at the top of her class, as her and her family dealt with being homeless.

Fearce, 23, is currently pursuing her MD–PhD degree at the Yale School of Medicine; a major step towards her goal of launching a career in psychiatry. Fearce’s journey to the prestigious Ivy League school was no easy feat. While attending Charles R. Drew High School in Riverdale, Georgia she and her family were homeless. She would often go without food and would use the stove lights at motels for her studying sessions. Despite living in those conditions, she earned a 4.5 grade point average and was named valedictorian of her class in 2013. Her academic accomplishments garnered her a full scholarship to Spelman College. After graduating from the historically Black college with a degree in biochemistry, she went on to work for a national health agency and started the next step in her academic journey at Yale last month.

Fearce says her experience with homelessness instilled values that she has taken with her throughout every stage of her life. “Homelessness taught me how to work hard, always persevere and never let anything get in my way,” she told the news outlet. “It really helped show my resilience when I applied for college and medical school.”

Fearce and her family have been dedicated to paying it forward and helping those in need. There was a scholarship named in her honor for homeless students determined to further their education. Her mother Reenita Shepherd has become the foster parent of four children and is currently serving as a caretaker for a former homeless shelter director.

[SOURCE: ATLANTA DAILY WORLD]

Booker campaign reaches donor threshold for November debate

Democratic Sen. Cory Booker on Sunday announced he has reached the required donor threshold to qualify for the fifth Democratic presidential debate despite his campaign running behind on a self-imposed donation fundraising goal of $1.7 million.

The New Jersey senator's announcement comes after the Democratic National Committee announced last week that candidates must meet higher donor thresholds in order to qualify for the November debates. Candidates must raise money from 165,000 separate donors -- including a minimum of 600 donors each in at least 20 states or territories, up from the current minimum of 130,000 donors.

"We have nearly 35,000 donors who have been helping us make this goal. We've raised $1.5 million plus," Booker told CNN's Jake Tapper on "State of the Union" Sunday. "We've actually already crossed the threshold to make the November debates of 165,000 unique donors. The surge and the momentum is great, but yeah, I still need help."

Booker has already qualified for the October Democratic presidential debate, which will be moderated by CNN and The New York Times, but he has not yet met the polling threshold to qualify for the November stage. The DNC has not yet announced the date for that debate.

SOURCE:CNN

Cory Booker defends Joe Biden against Ukrainian accusations

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), a 2020 White House hopeful, said on Sunday that's he’s “offended” that Republicans are shifting attention to fellow Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden as President Trump faces an impeachment inquiry.

“Joe Biden is a statesman. He is truly an honorable man,” Booker said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

“I will be standing firmly in defense of Joe Biden throughout this process because this can in no way besmirch his character, his honor and his incredible service to this country over decades,” Booker added.

“I am offended by the Republicans trying to shift the attention in this, in what is Trump’s scandal. This is a Trump scandal and potential violation of office,” Booker said on Sunday. "It should in no way effect the vice president in pursuit of the nomination.”

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Christian Coleman wins men's 100M at IAAF World Athletics Championships

At the 2019 IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) World Championships in Qatar , American Christian Coleman dominated the 100m to underscore his ambitions to stake claim to the ‘world’s fastest man’ title in the post-Usain Bolt era.

Coleman ran the race in 9.76 in his winning performance at Khalifa Stadium tonight. In World Championships history, only Bolt’s legendary 9.58 world record at the 2009 edition in Berlin has been faster.

“I've been blessed with incredible talent and tonight I was able to show it,” said Coleman, who knocked 0.03 from the career best he set in the Diamond League final in Brussels last year.

He was out fast, built a visible lead by 30 metres and by 60, already seemed uncatchable in his quest to improve upon his runner-up finish in London two years ago, where he relegated Bolt to bronze in the Jamaican’s final 100m race.

“I usually have a good start but I don't follow it up with execution, so I've been working on my drive phase and being patient. Tonight it all paid off.”

“Last time it was a surprise when I won silver but this time there was a lot of pressure, but I managed to come out with gold.”

100M FINAL RESULTS

1. Christian COLEMAN USA 9.76

2. Justin GATLIN USA 9.89

3. Andre DE GRASSE CAN 9.90

[SOURCE: IAAF]

Vermont Episcopal Church welcomes Shannon MacVean-Brown its first black bishop

Vermont will have a new Episcopal bishop Saturday. Reverend Shannon MacVean-Brown is the first African American to serve as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont and the first in New England.