African American Reports Interview with Jerri Haslem, the founder of the 8:46 Breathe Series Race

Hi, this is George Cook of African American Reports. Please check out my interview with Jerri Haslem, the founder of the 8:46 Breathe Series Race to honor George Floyd. Learn more and register for the event here: 846BreatheSeries

C. Vivian Stringer inducted in N.J. Hall if Fame

C. Vivian Stringer, the head coach of the Rutgers women’s basketball team was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame on Sunday.

Stringer was the first African American coach in college basketball to win 1,000 games as well as the first coach in basketball to take three college teams to the Final Four.“The greatest gift that I’ve had is the ability to do something that I really care (about) and love,” Stringer said, accepting the honor.

“To everyone that has been a part of this journey with me, I say thank you for helping me live my dream," she said.

[SOURCE NJ.COM]

Virginia State University creates John Mercer Langston Institute for African American Political Leadership

Virginia State University, VA- Virginia State University (VSU) has announced a new venture focused on increasing African American political leadership across the Commonwealth of Virginia. During a press conference this the University announced the creation of the John Mercer Langston Institute for African American Political Leadership (JMLI).

The JMLI at Virginia State University is devoted to developing, empowering, and cultivating African American leadership in the Commonwealth of Virginia through innovative training, policy collection and assistance, programming, research, and networking.

Along with today’s announcement, the John Mercer Langston Institute kicked off the inaugural “Black Virginia Voters Poll”, which highlights the needs of Black Virginia voters from across the Commonwealth. The poll will be available on the VSU website.

According to Dr. Wes Bellamy, Chair of the VSU Department of Political Science, “This Institute will help develop a pipeline for Black political leadership across the state and ensure that the voices of those who are often unheard will be represented. We hear loud and clear the need for change, for new voices, a thirst for understanding political structures, and people eager to make a difference. The JMLI institute is here to do just that.”

VSU President, Dr. Makola M. Abdullah says “As we look at the current political climate, it is imperative that clear avenues for Black political development are available. VSU has consistently worked to ensure that our students are prepared and equipped to be viable assets to society in the Commonwealth and beyond. The JMLI will serve as an additional voice and pathway to make that happen.”

The JMLI will also host a formal institute to develop Black political leadership in February 2021. Registration for the institute will be available in December 2020.

John Mercer Langston was an American abolitionist, attorney, educator, activist, diplomat, and politician. He was the first president of Virginia State University and the first dean of the law school at Howard University.

846 Breathe Series Race to honor George Floyd

The world witnessed a man’s Life end in 8:46 | Eight minutes and Forty-Six seconds. That man was George Floyd. This event is virtual and the entire world is invited to register. The location is where you make it, the distance is 8.46 miles or the time is 8:46 (eight minutes and forty-six seconds). Your choice for completing the distance is to run, walk, hike, skate, rollerblade, you can swim 8.46 laps the choice is yours. Your choice may be to address this event from a time perspective. What will you do in eight minutes and forty-six seconds to make difference in your life or in the lives of others?

Registered participants will be mailed, a tee shirt, a medal, and 8.46 breathe magnet. The date is October 25, 2020 it is your day to show from your location why you breathe. We hope to see you on social media; as on that day we will be live on multiple platforms, in a variety of times zones at 8:46AM. Participants that are registered by midnight October 15, 2020 will receive their race packets prior to the event date. Participants that register after this time packets will be mailed the first week of November.

Together we can make a difference and change the world. The 846 Breathe is not about every step that you make, it’s about every breath you take.

The race benefits the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, museum and educational research center. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute brings the legacy of the struggle for civil and human rights into modern-day focus.

To find out more about the race or to register for the race click here: 846 RACE SERIES

HBCU, Alabama State University renames hall named after KKK leader

A historically black university in Alabama has renamed a dormitory that honored a one-time governor who also led a Ku Klux Klan chapter nearly a century ago.

Workers at Alabama State University removed the name “Bibb Graves” from a residence hall on Wednesday. The building had carried Graves' name since 1928, when he served as the head of a state government that constitutionally mandated white supremacy.

Alabama State President Quinton T. Ross Jr. said the idea of replacing the building's name had been discussed at least as far back as when he was a student at the school, located a few miles from the Alabama Capitol.

“Many of our alumni have asked for this to happen," he said in a statement.

Alabama State trustees voted to rename the building earlier this year during the national discussion generated by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The school has yet to decide on a new name for the residence hall.

[SOURCE: ABC NEWS]