Florida Rep. Val Demings endorses Joe Biden for president

Florida Democratic Rep. Val Demings on Thursday endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for president, saying Biden "has been there in the trenches fighting for those things that are important to the American people."

"What I do know is America is always at its best when people have the opportunity to succeed," Demings told CNN's John Berman on "New Day." "And we have leaders in place who understand that. That's why I'm so proud this morning to endorse Joe Biden for the next president of the United States."

Demings did not rule out being Biden's running mate if she was asked and said she was "humbled" that her name has been raised as a potential add to the Democratic ticket.

Demings represents Florida's 10th Congressional District, and was Orlando's first female chief of police. She serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the House Committee on the Judiciary and the House Committee on Homeland Security.

[SOURCE: CNN]

DePauw university appoints its first African American president, Lori S. White

The DePauw University Board of Trustees voted Tuesday to appoint Lori S. White to be the next president of the western Indiana liberal arts school.

White, currently the vice chancellor for student affairs at Washington University in St. Louis, will succeed Mark McCoy on July 1.

White, who is African-American, will be the first woman and the first person of color to serve as president of DePauw.

White has more than 30 years of experience in both student-focused leadership and academic roles. Before joining Washington in 2015, she was vice president for student affairs and clinical professor of education at Southern Methodist University; associate vice president for student affairs at the University of Southern California; and associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students at San Diego State University.

“Feedback from the DePauw community about what DePauw needs in its next president was clear,” said chemistry professor Jeff Hansen, a member of the presidential search committee. “We sought a great communicator, a great listener, someone who makes good decisions after carefully hearing input from all constituencies and someone who can build community and unite the campus. The search committee unanimously selected Dr. White because she excels in all of those qualities.

McCoy, DePauw’s president since July 2016, announced his intention to resign last May after faculty members had approved a resolution of no confidence in him over finances and his response to racist messages.

[SOURCE:WFYI]

Missing Black Woman Alert: Mandrea K. Runnels is missing

WASHINGTON-The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is looking for Mandrea K. Runnels, a missing woman last seen February 21, 2020.

Family and friends say they haven’t heard from Mandrea K. Runnels, 45, of Spokane Valley, since she told her boyfriend she was going to the Argonne Library. Runnels has not answered her phone or shown up for work during this time.

Runnels has black hair and brown eyes, and she is approximately 5 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs 125 pounds, the news release said. She may be wearing glasses and traveling in a maroon/burgundy 2004 Dodge Dakota with Washington license plate C29226N. The truck has an “=” sign sticker on the tailgate, just above the word “Dodge” on the driver’s side.

People with information about Runnels’ whereabouts or anyone who has seen her car can call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233 with reference No. 10024493.

National Museum of African American Music opening September 3, 2020

The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) will officially open at its downtown Nashville Tennessee location on Thursday, Sept. 3.

The museum includes more than 1,400 artifacts and showcases generations of musical history created and inspired by the work of African Americans, and includes seven content galleries, including six permanent galleries and one rotating gallery. These galleries chronicle black musical traditions from the 1600s through modern day, incorporating more than 50 genres of music, such as spirituals, gospel, jazz, hip-hop, blues, R&B and more.

“We’re extremely excited to announce our September grand opening date for all of the music fans who have been anxiously awaiting the debut of this museum,” said H. Beecher Hicks III, NMAAM President and CEO. “This museum is a unique place that tells a special story. Our hope is that no matter your age, race or preferred music genre, within this museum you can find something that stirs your soul, pleases your ears and moves your feet. We encourage everyone to start planning their 2020 trips to Nashville and purchase your tickets to this first-of-its-kind institution dedicated to celebrating incredible people and moments in American history.”

Advance tickets can be purchased at NMAAM’s official site NMAAM.ORG

Susan Rice endorses Joe Biden for president

Former Obama administration national security adviser and U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice on Monday endorsed Joe Biden for president.

Rice released the following statement via Twitter:

I worked very closely with Joe Biden for 8 years. He is smart, strategic and more experienced than any candidate in the field. No one is better prepared and more trusted by our allies to repair the incalculable damage Trump has done to our int'l standing and national security.