5-star basketball prospect, Makur Maker commits Howard University

One of the top high school basketball recruits in the country made history Friday, announcing he will play for Howard University, a historically Black university.

Makur Maker is No. 16 on the ESPN 100 list for 2020. As such, Maker is the first five-star prospect to commit to an HBCU (Historically Black College and University) since ESPN began ranking prospects in 2007.

"I need to make the HBCU movement real so that others will follow," Maker tweeted. "I hope I inspire guys like Mikey Williams to join me on this journey. I am committing to Howard U & coach Kenny Blakeney."

Maker, a 6-feet 11-inch center, chose Howard over his three other finalists: UCLA, Kentucky and Memphis, according to The Undefeated.

ESPN reports Maker "averaged 14.7 points and 7.9 rebounds while shooting 73% on 2-pointers last spring and summer with Dream Vision on the Adidas grassroots circuit."

The University of Maryland Welcomes Its First African American President

Dr. Darryll J. Pines began his role as the University of Maryland’s 34th president on July 1. Previously the Nariman Farvardin Professor of Engineering and the dean of the A. James Clark School of Engineering, he’s the university’s first African American president.

“I understand the symbolism that it represents to the African American community and to the community at large here at the University of Maryland and what it represents at these times of uncertainty and social justice,” Pines said.

He began his role by announcing twelve new initiatives, including increasing the university’s mental health staff; hiring a coordinator for immigrant and undocumented student life; naming new residence halls after figures who contributed to University of Maryland’s diversity; and establishing a taskforce on campus policing.

“Excellence and diversity, equity and inclusion for me are synonymous with greatness,” Pines said. “And that’s what I intend to do for this university.”

[SOURCE:DIVERSE EDUCATION]

NFL will play 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' before each Week 1 game

Four weeks after commissioner Roger Goodell vowed to listen to and work with players in their fight for racial equality, the NFL is in the process of solidifying plans to honor victims of systemic racism with a number of in-game programs during opening week of the 2020 season.

Starting with the nationally televised regular-season opener between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 10, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Black national anthem, will be performed before every Week 1 kickoff, before "The Star-Spangled Banner," according to a person familiar with ongoing discussions. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because plans have not yet been finalized and announced by NFL officials.

Both anthems will be televised Sunday afternoon, and on "Sunday Night Football" and "Monday Night Football" contests as well. ESPN’s "Undefeated" first reported news of these plans.

[SOURCE: USA TODAY]

Job Lewis: Good Trouble available On Demand July 3rd!

Using interviews and rare archival footage, JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE chronicles Lewis’ 60-plus years of social activism and legislative action on civil rights, voting rights, gun control, health-care reform and immigration. Using present-day interviews with Lewis, now 80 years old, Porter explores his childhood experiences, his inspiring family and his fateful meeting with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1957. In addition to her interviews with Lewis and his family, Porter’s primarily cinéma verité film also includes interviews with political leaders, Congressional colleagues, and other people who figure prominently in his life.

DIRECTED BY Dawn Porter

PRODUCED BY Laura Michalchyshyn, Dawn Porter, Erika Alexander and Ben Arnon.

Click here to see what streaming services are now showing John Lewis: Good Trouble: WATCH AT HOME.

Watch the trailer below

Yvette Clarke wins NY House primary

Rep. Yvette Clarke has won the June 23 Democratic primary in New York’s 9th District, leaving her well placed to win an 8th term in November in the safe blue district.

Clarke won with 62 percent of the vote, prevailing over closest rival Adem Bunkeddeko, who had garnered nearly 18 percent, according to The Associated Press.

Bunkeddeko also challenged Clarke in 2018, with the New York lawmaker prevailing over the community activist by 53 percent to 47 percent.

Results were called on Wednesday after a surge in mailed-in ballots delayed results.

[SOURCE: THE HILL]