Black owned Industrial Bank expands into NJ and NY

Since 1934, Industrial Bank has played a pivotal role in the growth and economic development of the Washington, DC metropolitan area through its essential products and services, customer care and community service. Today, the Bank announced it has acquired City National Bank of New Jersey, with two branches in New Jersey and one branch in Harlem, New York.

“We’re excited about welcoming City National Bank’s customers and teammates to the Industrial Bank family.” stated Industrial Bank President and CEO B. Doyle Mitchell, Jr.. “This acquisition will allow us to expand our footprint into the northeast region and deepen our commitment to impacting economic development in various communities”.

Much like Industrial Bank, City National Bank was started to fill a great economic void within the African American community whose access to credit and banking services was historically limited. We consider this more of a partnership than an acquisition as we have enjoyed a long-standing relationship with City National Bank and its great team of bankers who share our common values and commitment to community service.

On top of loan awards and financial services, as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Industrial Bank reinvests over 60% of its assets back into the community every year and continues to activate and support community programs. Bank President B. Doyle Mitchell, Jr., as did his father and grandfather before him, still believes in the importance and power of financial education, entrepreneurship and homeownership.

On August 20th, Industrial Bank celebrated its 85th anniversary and remains committed to giving back to any community that it calls home.

ABOUT INDUSTRIAL BANK: Industrial Bank is one of the largest African American owned banks in the United States. Since 1934, Industrial Bank has been a strong partner for small and large businesses, homeowners, and personal banking account customers in the Washington, DC and surrounding metropolitan areas.>/p>

Colin Kaepernick's tells NFL that he's ready after his workout

After an impressive workout in front of 8 scouts from NFL teams Colin Kaepernick let NFL owners know that he was ready to play and that the ball was in their court. Watch his comments below.

Texas appeals court blocks Rodney Reed execution

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Friday blocked the execution of Rodney Reed.

Reed was sentenced to death more than 20 years ago for the 1996 assault, rape and strangling of 19-year-old Stacey Stites.

But the inmate and attorneys with the Innocence Project say they have evidence that exonerates him and instead implicates Stites' fiancée at the time, Jimmy Fennell, who was a police officer.

The case has united lawmakers, religious leaders, celebrities, and more than 2.9 million people who have signed a petition on freerodneyreed.com asking Abbott to halt the execution.

The court granted Reed's motion to stay the execution and sent the case back to a lower court to consider his claims that the state presented false testimony in violation of due process and that he is innocent.

Reed was scheduled to be executed November 20.

[SOURCE: CNN]

NJ state legislators introduce bill to form ‘New Jersey Reparations Task Force’

Trenton – Senator Ronald Rice, Senator Sandra B. Cunningham, Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter, Assemblywoman Britnee Timberlake and the Legislative Black Caucus introduced legislation today, which would establish the “New Jersey Reparations Task Force.” The task force would conduct research and develop proposals and recommendations to address the generational harms caused by the state’s role in the institution of slavery and its legacy of systemic racial discrimination.

“The existence and history of slavery in the United States is the greatest evil our country ever committed. The continuation of systemic and institutional racism spanning from the emancipation of slaves to the present continues the darkest part of history,” said Senator Rice (D-Essex). “I believe the country is ready to have a conversation on the history of slavery and racism in this country, giving us a special opportunity to research New Jersey’s role in slavery and develop reparations proposals for African Americans in New Jersey.”

“This is an incredible first step in righting our country’s greatest wrong. We will never see true equality if we do not take responsibility for the many ways slavery has shaped the socioeconomics of our country,” said Senator Cunningham (D-Hudson). “I hope this legislation will inspire other states to take action as well. The institution of slavery has impacted every aspect of our democracy since this nation’s founding and it is time we finally take a good hard look at the damage it has done.”

“New Jersey was not removed from the harm and ill effects of slavery. Slavery was not just a southern institution. In the 17th Century there were laws on the books that grossly impacted Africans which effects may still be felt today,” said Assemblywoman Sumter (D-Bergen/Passaic). “Among the disparities experienced by African Americans include curfew laws, economic injustices, redlining for home purchases, inferior public education and health inequities with environmental injustices. We are seeking to have the brightest minds serve on the Task Force to identify the impacts of slavery and the opportunities for restorative justice.”

“We can see the impact of slavery and how we have been disenfranchised long after the impacts of slavery,” said Assemblywoman Timberlake (D-Essex/Passaic). “This bill serves to explore how reparations in our modern world would look through education, through housing, and other fitting options that mirror the times we live in today. Through the creation of this legislation, we hope to restore and repair communities that have been systematically broken.”

The task force would be made up of members appointed by the Governor, Legislative leaders, as well as four public members recommended by organizations concerned with the issues of civil rights, human rights, racial, social and economic justice and equality, reparations and other issues concerning the African American community.

The task force would examine the role New Jersey played in slavery and study the lingering negative effects of slavery on African Americans and society. They would also research methods and materials for facilitating education, community dialogue, symbolic acknowledgement and other formal actions. Ultimately they would recommend reparation remedies to achieve a sense of social and economic justice among the descendants of enslaved African people in New Jersey.

When the final report is issued, the task force would disband.

Bill Russell accepts Hall of Fame ring 44 years after induction

Bill Russell an 11-time NBA champion, five-time MVP, Olympic gold medalist and two-time NCAA champ tweeted on Friday that he was presented with his Hall of Fame ring in a private ceremony with friends and family that came four decades after he was first selected for the shrine in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Russell didn't attend his induction ceremony in 1975 because he didn't believe that he deserved to be the first black player inducted. He felt that Chuck Cooper, who in 1950 was the first African American player drafted by should have been in the Hall of Fame before him. Cooper was finally inducted in 2019.

Congrats to both Bill Russell and Chuck Cooper

In a private ceremony w/my wife & close friends A.Mourning @AnnMeyers @billwalton & others I accepted my #HOF ring. In ‘75 I refused being the 1st black player to go into the @Hoophall I felt others before me should have that honor. Good to see progress; ChuckCooperHOF19 @NBA pic.twitter.com/2FI5U7ThTg

— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) November 15, 2019