Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist endorses Joe Biden

Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist has endorsed Joe Biden for president just ahead of the Michigan Democratic Primary.

Gilchrist released the following statement explaining his endorsement:

Leadership is about showing up, listening, and responding to make things happen, and Vice President Joe Biden has shown up for Michigan time after time. He has been there for Detroit, and the entire state of Michigan, as a friend and a leader. That is why I am endorsing Vice President Joe Biden to be our nominee for president.

“This is not a decision that I take or make lightly because the stakes are so high for our communities. Joe Biden is listening to a broad range of progressive, moderate, and other voices across the political spectrum. He will defeat Donald Trump’s dangerous, backwards-moving agenda by assembling a diverse, dynamic, and driven coalition that creates the conditions for people to thrive across Michigan and across the nation.

“He helped expand healthcare in Michigan, and will go further as president. Joe has helped expand access to the internet and public transit across our state, and he will go further as president. Joe Biden led President Obama’s efforts to protect and expand economic opportunity for working people by negotiating the deal that saved the auto industry, including tens of thousands of jobs in our state, and he will go further as president.

“The challenges that we are now confronting open the door to generational opportunities. This is our moment to replace Trump’s destruction and division with a unified, expansive vision of the future that we can build when we come together. I trust Joe Biden to lead with us into that future as our nominee and the next president.

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