Army sergeant charged with assault after video shows him accosting, shoving Black man

A white non-commissioned Army officer depicted in a viral video accosting and shoving a Black man in a South Carolina neighborhood has been charged with third-degree assault.

House panel approves bill to set up commission on reparations

Legislation that would create a federal exploratory commission on reparations for Black Americans was approved Wednesday by a House committee for the first time, setting up a vote by the full Congress if Democratic leaders choose to bring it to the House floor.

Spearheaded by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), who took up H.R. 40’s cause after the late Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) retired from Congress in 2017, the bill passed through the House Judiciary Committee along party lines.

The committee held a hearing on H.R. 40 back in February, which featured multiple reparative justice experts. The idea of reparations, while not new, has gained steam in recent years, and the legislation currently has 176 co-sponsors in the House, its most ever.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) did not commit to bringing the bill to the floor, saying he was waiting to see what the Judiciary Committee would do. In the meantime, he called on President Biden to form his own reparations panel from the White House — a process that would not force any centrist Democrats to take what might prove a difficult vote.

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

MORRIS BROWN COLLEGE ANNOUNCES ACCREDITATION CANDIDACY AFTER NEARLY TWENTY YEARS

Morris Brown College (MBC) is proud to announce it has received accreditation candidacy by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS), a Virginia-based accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This monumental achievement came after nearly 20 years of effort – marking a historical milestone for the 140-year-old college.

Morris Brown College earning accreditation candidacy is a major achievement demonstrating that it can meet quality standards and is engaged in continuous improvement. Candidacy indicates that the institution is in compliance with the standards and criteria, has been evaluated by an on-site peer team, and in the professional judgment of the evaluation team and the Accreditation Commission, the institution provides sound instruction and student services. As of July 1, 2020, the United States Department of Education holds all accrediting agencies to the same standards, and it no longer holds a distinction between regional and national accrediting agencies. In 2002, Morris Brown’s accreditation was revoked due to debt and financial mismanagement, which barred students from applying for Federal Financial Aid. In obtaining accreditation candidacy, Morris Brown is now eligible to apply to the U.S Department of Education to participate in financial aid programs and Title IV funding.

Founded by formerly enslaved religious leaders at Big Bethel AME Church in 1881, MBC is the first college in Georgia to be owned and operated by African Americans. The iconic Fountain Hall and the current Morris Brown campus are where Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois wrote “The Souls of Black Folk” in 1903. Notable alumni include Alberta Williams King, mother of Martin Luther King, Jr., and James Alan McPherson, the first Black writer to win a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Bishop of the 6th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church said, “We’ve made tremendous progress within the past two years under Dr. Kevin James’ leadership. The funds raised at Homecoming 2020 and Founder’s Day 2021 marked the largest Homecoming and Founder’s Day fundraising events respectively in the past 20 years.

Overall, giving is up and the momentum under this administration is like none we have seen in recent history. The revitalization of the institution’s academic programs and student services, including new programs such as Global Management & Applied Leadership, E-Sports Performance, and Hospitality Management, will place the next generation of students as global competitors.”

The accreditation candidacy comes on the heels of a rewarding partnership between the college and CGI Merchant Group, LLC, a minority-owned global investment management firm with a focus on real estate and private equity. It will make a $30 million investment in the historic college to convert existing facilities into a 150-key upscale Hilton hotel and hospitality management training complex. Construction of the 90,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility is expected to begin the latter part of 2021.

“We are elated about accreditation candidacy and making history. I want to thank all the faculty and staff for their hard work. We intend on making history as the first HBCU to regain its status after a twenty-year hiatus and the first HBCU to have a flagged hotel on its campus for a hospitality education program. These achievements have sparked other closed HBCU’s to try again.

Without the resilience, support, and prayers from the Board of Trustees, African Methodist Episcopal church, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community, we would not be here. We have so many amazing projects coming up in the pipeline that will prepare our students for academic success and jobs. We ask the community to continue to support our mission by donating to the college. Additionally, we are seeking a seven-figure gift from an individual or corporation to move the institution forward. It is a new day for Morris Brown College!” said.

VP Kamala Harris statement on shooting of Daunte Wright

During a roundtable on Black maternal health, Vice President Kamala Harris makes a statement about the death of Daunte Wright in Minnesota. Harris stated that Wright should be alive today. Watch her full statement below.

Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand opens up million dollar grants program for Black Americans

As part of its 10-year, $100 million commitment to the Black Community to fight systemic racism through a focus on social justice, education and awareness and economic justice, Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand announce the opening of their first cycle of Community Grants, providing $1 million to local, grassroots organizations that are creating more equitable futures for Black Americans.

Facilitated by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, the first Community Grants Program cycle will open for 30 day beginning March 31, 2021 and will end on April 30, 2021. All completed applications submitted by organizations with a mission or programs that align with one of the focus areas will be reviewed by an advisory committee comprised of members from the Jordan Brand and Michael Jordan Family Office teams. All U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations working to improve outcomes for the Black community, with an annual budget of $3 million per year or less, are encouraged to apply.

“Since announcing our commitment to the Black community in June of 2020, we’ve been focused on two things — action and impact,” explains Craig Williams, President of Jordan Brand. “I’m excited about the impact these grants will have in local communities. We know that when we create positive change for the Black community, it benefits everyone.”

The Community Grants Program continues the long-term vision set by Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand beginning in summer of 2020. Last year, donations between $500,000 and $1 million each were given to the commitment’s first national partners: the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF), the Formerly Incarcerated Convicted People & Families Movement (FICPFM) and Black Voters Matter. All share a history of driving transformative change at the national level.

Click here to access the application portal and read instructions on how to complete your submission.