UNCF joining May 5 #GivingTuesdayNow Campaign

UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is joining the #GivingTuesdayNow campaign to encourage philanthropy  in light of the many challenges facing minority higher education including the coronavirus health pandemic. UNCF works tirelessly to benefit historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in part, by changing the narrative of HBCUs across the nation and helping  equip minority students with the resources necessary to transition into and graduate from college, and ultimately succeed in the workforce.

“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on UNCF students is felt very keenly,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO of UNCF. “The majority of our member HBCUs are closed for the remainder of the school year making things very precarious for our member schools and those earning their degrees. Many students need tablets and laptops to be able to access classes online. And some need basic support, like food and other financial resources, since the jobs they had to help them make it through school have all but vanished.”

UNCF HBCUs need help during the best of times, and UNCF works to provide the support they need to help more students pursue their educational endeavors and graduate from college prepared for leadership roles, competitive employment, and active participation in society.

“The foundation of UNCF was built on the act of giving, and participation in #GivingTuesdayNow shows our steadfast commitment to educating our students and providing resources to our HBCUs, especially in this time of unprecedented crisis,” Lomax added. “UNCF and our member colleges and universities have persevered through many other turbulent times, and we cannot let this disaster wash away decades of progress and HBCU legacies.”

#GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations will occur May 5 as a response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Five Reasons to Give to UNCF During this Critical Time:

• Our students are at greatest risk of not being able to continue their educational efforts due to financial need.
• The lack of technology gets in the way of both our HBCUs and their students’ ability to ensure online classroom connectivity.
• Part-time jobs that students rely on to get through college are all but gone right now. 
• The nation’s HBCUs have been producing almost 17% of all African American graduates and 25% of African American graduates in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics — the critical industries of the future.
• To ensure that UNCF continues to have the resources to do its important work of supporting HBCUs and our students during this global crisis.  

Help UNCF make a difference in a student’s life.

1.    Donate today by visiting UNCF.org/Donate

2.    Share your donation on social media using the #GivingtuesdayNow

3.    Spread the word about UNCF’s mission

4.    Follow #UNCF on Facebook, Twitter @UNCF and Instagram

For more information about UNCF, visit UNCF.org and stay connected via social media.

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About UNCF
UNCF (the United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, supports and strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 17 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, ‟A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” ® Learn more at UNCF.org or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @UNCF.

About #GivingTuesday #GivingTuesday is a global giving movement that has been built by individuals, families, organizations, businesses and communities in all 50 states and in countries around the world. This year, #GivingTuesday falls on November 28. #GivingTuesday harnesses the collective power of a unique blend of partners to transform how people, think about, talk about, and participate in the giving season. It inspires people to take collective action to improve their communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they believe in, and help create a better world. #GivingTuesday demonstrates how every act of generosity counts, and that they mean even more when we give together. 

Michelle Obama 'Becoming' documentary coming to Netflix on May 6, 2020

Becoming is an intimate look into the life of former First Lady Michelle Obama during a moment of profound change, not only for her personally but for the country she and her husband served over eight impactful years in the White House. The film offers a rare and up-close look at her life, taking viewers behind the scenes as she embarks on a 34-city tour that highlights the power of community to bridge our divides and the spirit of connection that comes when we openly and honestly share our stories.

“Those months I spent traveling — meeting and connecting with people in cities across the globe — drove home the idea that what we share in common is deep and real and can’t be messed with,” Obama wrote on Instagram. “I treasure the memories and that sense of connection now more than ever, as we struggle together to weather this pandemic, as we care for our loved ones, tend to our communities, and try to keep up with work and school while coping with huge amounts of loss, confusion, and uncertainty.”

The film is directed by Nadia Hallgren, and is the third joint project between Netflix and Higher Ground Productions, the Obamas’ production company.

Becoming begins streaming on Netflix on May 6.

WATCH THE TRAILER

Kweisi Mfume wins special election to replace Elijah Cummings

Democrat Kweisi Mfume won a special election Tuesday to finish the term of the late Elijah Cummings, retaking a Maryland congressional seat Mfume held for five terms before leaving to lead the NAACP.

Mfume defeated Republican Kimberly Klacik for the 7th Congressional District seat in the heavily Democratic district.

The election, which took place during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, was held to decide who would serve out the remainder of the term after Cummings, a Maryland Democrat, died last year at the age of 68.

Mfume’s victory means he will at least serve the rest of Cummings’ term until January. It also means Mfume, 71, will run as an incumbent in Maryland’s June primary to be the nominee for a full term in November.

In addition to previously representing Maryland's seventh congressional district in Congress, Mfume has served as a Baltimore City Council member and president of the NAACP. He is also a former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Fox News fires Diamond & Silk for pushing false coronavirus conspiracies

Fox News has severed ties with Diamond and Silk, the video bloggers and political commentators who bill themselves as President Donald Trump’s “most loyal supporters.”

According to sources, Fox News and streaming service Fox Nation “no longer have a relationship” with the duo.

Earlier this month, Twitter locked their account over a tweet that criticized coronavirus crisis stay-at home orders and suggested that people should be “out in the environment.”

“The only way we can become immune to the environment; we must be out in the environment.” they wrote. “Quarantining people inside of their houses for extended periods will make people sick!”

Twitter said that the tweet was in violation of its coronavirus misinformation policy.

Diamond and Silk also have suggested that the number of coronavirus deaths are inflated and have pushed a conspiracy theory involving Bill Gates and vaccines and another involving 5G technology.

Fox Nation had licensed their show and featured the duo in promotions, but they were not employees of the channel.

The Daily Beast first reported on Fox News’ move. The network cut ties with another personality, Fox Business anchor Trish Regan, in March, following the fallout from comments she made in a segment titled the “Coronavirus Impeachment Scam.”

Their video segments have drawn guests such as Surgeon General Jerome Adams, in which he said that social distancing guidelines were working. They continue to serve as surrogates for Trump’s reelection campaign, including on an advisory board for Black Voices for Trump.

[SOURCE: DEADLINE]

Civil rights and religious leaders urge African Americans to defy governors' efforts to reopen businesses

A coalition of prominent civil rights and black religious leaders is urging African American residents who live in states that are moving swiftly to reopen their economies to stay home in defiance of governors until there's evidence the coronavirus outbreak has eased.

The group, convened by the Conference of National Black Churches and Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network, said some governors are demonstrating "reckless disregard for the health and life of black residents" and called for black churches and businesses to remain closed in those states until there's evidence that it's safe to resume more normal activity.

"We do not take it lightly to encourage members of our communities to defy the orders of state governors," the officials said in a statement. "Our sacred duty is to support and advance the life and health of Black people, families and communities in our country."

Top officials with the NAACP, the National Urban League and the National Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law are among the groups joining the stay-at-home message.

Covid-19 has cut a particularly deadly path through African American communities. Figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show black patients have made up nearly 20% US coronavirus deaths, although African Americans make up about 13% of the nation's population.

[SOURCE: CNN]