First Black owned bank: Capital Savings Bank

The first bank organized and operated by African Americans was Capital Savings Bank in Washington, D.C. which opened in 1888. Just four years after it opened, its deposits had grown to over $300,000.

Capital Savings Bank provided the capital essential to the growth of black businesses, capital that white-owned banks were unwilling to lend. The community proudly deposited its money in Capital Savings Bank. The public's confidence in Capital was rock solid in the early days, enabling the bank to exert a strong, positive economic impact on the community it served. During the Panic of 1893, the bank rode out the tide and was able to honor every obligation on demand. Capital Savings Bank helped many African-American businesses and property owners until it closed in 1902.

*NOTE: Although the Capital Savings Bank was the first black-owned bank to open in the United States, The Savings Bank of the Grand Fountain United Order of True Reformers was the first bank to be chartered in the United States. That bank opened in 1889.

Stacey Abrams on being VP pick: Of course I want it

During an appearance on ABC's The View Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams said that "of course" she would be honored to be the vice presidential pick of whoever secures the 2020 nomination. She also stated that she plans to run for president in the next two decades. Watch the entire segment below:

California school renamed Michelle Obama Elementary

The Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in Northern California will close for extensive renovations and open next year as Michelle Obama Elementary.

“We have the opportunity to have a beautiful new school named after a person who really represents our diversity and values," Claudia Velez, the school's principal, told CNN on Thursday.

The proposal was approved in a unanimous vote by the West Contra Costa Unified School District Board.

Officials at the California elementary school to be named after Obama said the first African American first lady has been a role model for students.

"Our school is diverse, modern and innovative, and the things that the kids will be doing will prepare them for a very strong and successful future in whatever career they choose," Velez said.

This isn’t the first school to be named after the former first lady. There’s already a Michelle Obama Elementary School in Panorama City, Calif., as well as a Michelle Obama School of Technology and the Arts in Park Forest, Ill.

[SOURCE: CHANGING AMERICA]

Barack Obama remembers Kobe Bryant in speech to NBA All-Stars

Former President Barack Obama spoke at the NBA's All-Star Weekend Newsmaker Brunch in Chicago Saturday. During his speech he took the time to reflect on the death of NBA superstar Kobe Bryant.

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It was a moving and emotional moment at the @nba All-Star Weekend Newsmaker Brunch when former President @barackobama spoke about Kobe Bryant. Watch this:

A post shared by Wolf Blitzer (@wolfblitzer) on Feb 15, 2020 at 10:08am PST

NBA All Star Game MVP trophy named after Kobe Bryant

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced today that the Kia NBA All-Star Game MVP Award has been permanently named for the late Kobe Bryant, an 18-time All-Star who won a record-tying four All-Star Game MVP awards.

The Kia NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant MVP Award will be presented on Sunday, Feb. 16 at the conclusion of the 2020 NBA All-Star Game in Chicago, where the league is celebrating the lives of Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven other people who tragically passed away in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26.

“Kobe Bryant is synonymous with NBA All-Star and embodies the spirit of this global celebration of our game,” said Silver. “He always relished the opportunity to compete with the best of the best and perform at the highest level for millions of fans around the world.”Bryant made his NBA All-Star Game debut in 1998 at age 19 – the youngest player to ever play in an All-Star Game. That appearance marked the first of his 18 All-Star selections, second most in NBA history behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19). Bryant holds the NBA record for consecutive All-Star selections as he was honored 18 straight times from 1998-2016.

Bryant was named the NBA All-Star Game MVP in 2002, 2007, 2009 (co-winner with Shaquille O’Neal) and 2011. The only other player to win four NBA All-Star Game MVP awards is Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Bob Pettit.

A five-time NBA champion, Bryant played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He earned the 2007-08 Kia NBA MVP Award, two Bill Russell Finals MVP awards and 15 All-NBA Team selections. Bryant ranks fourth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 33,643 points.

The winner of the 2020 Kia NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant MVP Award will be determined by NBA fans (who account for 25% of the vote) and a media panel (75% of the vote). This is the 10thstraight year that Kia will serve as the title partner of the NBA All-Star Game MVP Award.