Sen. Cory Booker statement on Jersey City shootings

U.S. Senator Cory A. Booker (D-NJ) released the following statement on the killings in Jersey City in which six people died, inclusive Jersey City Police Officer:

“Once again, our nation is faced with scenes of carnage, fear, hopelessness, and loss. There should be no place in America where residents are gunned down while shopping for groceries, officers are slain while protecting our communities, and children are sheltering in place at school. These tragedies cannot become our new normal.

“I am thankful to the Jersey City Police Department, first responders and law enforcement officers from across New Jersey and neighboring areas that bravely ran toward danger to steer their neighbors to safety. My prayers and deepest sympathies are with the victims of today’s horrific and senseless tragedy in Jersey City. Our focus now should be continuing the investigation, honoring the sacrifice of Detective Seals and our other fallen New Jerseyans, praying for the full recovery of the injured officers, and doing everything we can to protect our communities from gun violence.”

2019 Winners The African-American Film Critics Association Awards

The African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA), the world's largest group of black film critics, announced their film award winners on Tuesday, December 10, 2019.

Jordan Peele's 'US' and the Eddie Murphy film 'Dolemite is My name' were honored with multiple awards while several other notable black actors and movies won awards.

The AAFCA Awards takes place on Wednesday, January 22, 2019, at the Taglyan Complex.

The AAFCA Awards celebrates achievements in film and television as selected by members of our organization. Going into its 8th year, the annual star-studded event attracts some of the biggest names in Hollywood as it recognizes the best performances of the year. In keeping with AAFCA's mission to support and promote the achievement of minorities in the arts and entertainment industry, several special achievement awards are given for extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the film and television community.

Full list of winners of AAFCA 2019 awards

Best Film: Us (Universal)

Best Director: Jordan Peele (Us, Universal)

Best Actor: Eddie Murphy (Dolemite Is My Name, Netflix)

Best Actress: Lupita Nyong’o (Us, Universal)

Best Supporting Actor: Jamie Foxx (Just Mercy, Warner Bros.)

Best Supporting Actress: Da'Vine Joy Randolph (Dolemite Is My Name, Netflix)

Best Breakout Performance: Kelvin Harrison, Jr. (Waves, A24)

Best Animated Film: Abominable (Universal)

Best Documentary: The Black Godfather (Netflix)

Best Foreign Film: Parasite (Neon)

Best Independent Film: The Last Black Man in San Francisco (A24)

Best Screenplay Presented with The Black List: Bong Joon-ho, Parasite (Neon)

Impact Award: Queen & Slim (Universal)

We See You Award: Taylor Russell (Waves, A24)

Cynthia Erivo nominated twice for the movie ‘Harriet’

Cynthia Erivo received two Golden Globe nominations for her work in ‘Harriet’. She was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama & Best Original Song “Stand Up,”

Erivo had the following response when told of her nominations:

“Bringing Harriet Tubman to life for the first time on the big screen has meant the world to me, and to do so with an incredibly talented and diverse group of filmmakers has been an absolute honor. To be nominated for both my performance and the song I had the privilege to co-write for the film is a testament to Harriet’s enduring legacy and a celebration of her incredible story, which is long overdue. I am grateful to the HFPA for this recognition and feel truly blessed and humbled to be included on a list of such incredible artists. To say that this is overwhelming and a dream come true is putting it lightly. I’m excited to attend my first Golden Globe awards, and to share the night with friends and people I love is icing on the cake. This is beyond my wildest dreams.”

Sulwe a children's book by by Lupita Nyong'o

From Academy Award–winning actress Lupita Nyong’o comes a powerful, moving picture book about colorism, self-esteem, and learning that true beauty comes from within.

Sulwe has skin the color of midnight. She is darker than everyone in her family. She is darker than anyone in her school. Sulwe just wants to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister. Then a magical journey in the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything.

In this stunning debut picture book, actress Lupita Nyong’o creates a whimsical and heartwarming story to inspire children to see their own unique beauty.

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Check out the book on amazon

Hardcover-------Kindle Edition

Congressional Black Caucus Statement on Trump Administration Rule to Cut SNAP Benefits

After the Trump Administration issued a final rule that threatens the welfare of hungry Americans in need of SNAP benefits, formerly known as food stamps, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) released the following statement:

The decision by the Trump Administration to hurt poor and working-class Americans by requiring Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) to submit to more onerous restrictions to qualify for food stamps is disgraceful.

Over 36 million Americans rely on SNAP for nutrition assistance. This final rule weakens SNAP, the nation’s most effective anti-hunger program. Enough is enough.

Unfortunately, the Trump Administration fails to understand that people want a hand up, not a handout. There is no dignity in taking food away from the poorest and most vulnerable of our citizens.

It is immoral, insensitive, and cold-hearted.

For all public servants, we have to do the most for those who have the least. As the ‘Conscience of the Congress,’ the CBC must stand up and speak for Americans trying to make ends meet, and call out this callous Administration for hurting the ‘least of these’ during the holidays and beyond.