Lloyd Austin sworn in as nation's first African American Secretary of Defense

Retired Gen. Lloyd Austin was sworn in as Secretary of Defense on Friday, making him the first African American head of the Pentagon in U.S. history.

"I am honored to have this chance to serve again and to do so alongside you and your families," Austin said in a statement to the force after he was sworn in by Tom Muir, acting director of Washington Headquarters Services.

"My wife, Charlene, and I know all too well the sacrifices you make to keep this country safe. That safety is job one, and I promise to work as hard as you do at it."

The Senate earlier on Friday confirmed Austin in a 93-2 vote, giving Biden his second Cabinet member two days after his inauguration. Avril Haines was confirmed as director of national intelligence on Wednesday.

"It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as our country’s 28th Secretary of Defense, and I’m especially proud to be the first African American to hold the position," Austin tweeted after he was confirmed. "Let’s get to work."

Barbie Honors Dr. Maya Angelou as Latest Inspiring Women Doll

This month, Barbie® is continuing its commitment to inspire girls to dream big by welcoming writer, author, activist, and teacher Dr. Maya Angelou to the Barbie® Inspiring Women™ series, which pays tribute to incredible heroines of their time.

“We are so proud to include Dr. Maya Angelou in the Barbie Inspiring Women line. As a powerful writer and activist, her extraordinary life and unforgettable legacy is exactly what we hope this collection inspires in the next generation,” said Lisa McKnight, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Barbie and Dolls, Mattel. "By introducing children to Dr. Maya Angelou’s courageous story and written works through doll play, our goal is to spark conversation and awareness with children and their families.”<:p>

Dr. Maya Angelou received numerous awards and accolades including over 50 honorary doctorates. Her 1970 autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was nominated for the National Book Award and continues to move readers today. In 1993, she became the first African American and female poet to speak at a U.S. Presidential inauguration.

Sculpted to her likeness, Dr. Angelou’s BarbieInspiring Women Doll holds a miniature replica of her prolific autobiography, while wearing a head wrap and floor-length dress with floral print.

Barbie’s Inspiring Women series, which began in 2018, has celebrated nine courageous women who took risks, changed rules and paved the way for generations of girls to dream bigger than ever before. Last year, the series paid tribute to Billie Jean King, Ella Fitzgerald, Florence Nightingale, and Susan B. Anthony who made history by making the world a better place for future generations of girls. Amelia Earhart, Katherine Johnson, Frida Kahlo, Rosa Parks and Sally Ride have also been honored as part of the series.

Biden nominates Dr. Jewel Bronaugh for USDA Deputy Secretary

President-elect Joe Biden has appointed Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Dr. Jewel H. Bronaugh as Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture.

Bronaugh has served as commissioner of VDACS since May of 2018. Pending confirmation by the United States Senate, Commissioner Bronaugh will become the first African American Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.

The USDA consists of 29 agencies and offices with nearly 100,000 employees who serve at more than 4,500 locations across the country and abroad. The Department promotes agriculture production that helps feed Americans and others throughout the word, supports rural economic development, and conserves the nation’s natural resources through conservation, forest restoration, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands.

Atlanta Falcons name Terry Fontenot general manager

The Atlanta Falcons' hace announced that Terry Fontenot has been hired to be its next general manager.

Fontenot comes to Atlanta from the New Orleans Saints, where he has spent the last 18 years of his career. Fontenot just completed his first season as the Saints' vice president/assistant general manager for pro personnel. Fontenot is also the Falcons' first Black general manager.

Howard University Showtime Marching Band To Escort Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris for Inauguration

Howard University is proud to announce the Showtime Marching Band will escort Vice President Kamala Harris at the 59th presidential inauguration on Jan. 20. They will perform a special drum cadence for the parade.

“It is our esteemed honor to be involved in the historic inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris,” said Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick. “Throughout her career, the vice president-elect has carried her Howard education with her, ensuring that she adhere to truth and service and inspiring her to achieve unprecedented levels of excellence. It is perfectly fitting that the Showtime Marching Band, the ensemble that captures and reverberates the heartbeat of our institution, should accompany her on this last leg of her journey to the White House. It was that steady pulse of her Alma Mater’s legacy that propelled her forward, and it is that same rhythm that will carry her onward as she undoubtedly will become one of the most influential vice presidents in the history of our nation.”

Showtime Band will have the drumline, the Flashy Flag Squad, and Ooh La La dancers in the inauguration parade, representing less than one-third of the band for safety precautions.

“We are proud to unite safely as a band to represent Howard University, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and all HBCUs across the country,” said Kelvin Washington, the Howard University band director, who has been working on the perfect song for the parade since Harris was selected to join President-elect Joe Biden on the presidential ticket in August 2020. “It's a very gracious opportunity for us, and we’re very thankful for it.”

Although there’s minimal band participation, Washington is prepared because he has participated in two inauguration parades prior. “I had the pleasure to perform as a student at Southern University in 1980 for former President Ronald Reagan’s inauguration, then as associate director of the Howard University Band for former President Barack Obama and now this one would be my third,” said Washington.

This is the first time many of the band students will participate in an inauguration, and although they haven’t been together since the pandemic began, Courtney Gilliam of Dallas, Texas, a women studies graduate student and co-captain of the Flashy Flag Squad, believes they are ready.

“I think the amendments to this year’s inaugural events are appropriate for the times we are experiencing. I’ve been eager for months to see how Howard University would be included in this momentous inauguration, and it’s great to know that we’re able to safely execute traditional events and be represented as the marching band and musical heart of the vice president’s Alma Mater. As the first of many more progressive elections/inaugurations for women, it feels euphoric to be involved. I’m beyond elated to be able to participate with the Flashy Flag Squad, Ooh La La Dancers and percussion section,” said Gilliam. “Our squad has been conditioning, learning tosses and practicing dances to band music since last summer at our respective homes. So, finally hearing the heartbeat of the band, even in this small degree, is powerful for the entire band, and I’m sure the student body will be excited to see their peers help usher in our fellow Bison.”

[SOURCE: HOWARD UNIVERSITY]