NAACP Urges Professional Athletes In Free Agency to Avoid Texas

In response to the most recent attacks on voting rights and reproductive care, the Association sent an open letter to the National Players' Leagues, urging free agents to reconsider moving their families to a state that is not safe for anyone.

NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson:

"We must stand up for what is right and protect our loved ones from the dangerous attacks on freedoms taking place in Texas."

Signed by NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson and NAACP Texas President Gary Bledsoe, the letter was delivered to the National Football League Players Association, Women's National Basketball Player's Association, National Basketball Players Association, Major League Baseball Players Association, and National Hockey League Players' Association. The letter calls on athletes to consider not only their influential platforms as professional athletes, but as parents and role models for our children and those in their personal lives. >/p>

"As we watch an incomprehensible assault on basic human rights unfold in Texas, we are simultaneously witnessing a threat to constitutional guarantees for women, children and marginalized communities," write the authors. "Over the past few months, legislators in Texas have passed archaic policies, disguised as laws, that directly violate privacy rights and a woman's freedom to choose, restrict access to free and fair elections for Black and brown voters, and increase the risk of contracting coronavirus. If you are a woman, avoid Texas. If you are Black, avoid Texas. If you want to lower your chances of dying from coronavirus, avoid Texas."

"When all else fails, we must look within and answer the call to protect the basic human rights and democratic values which are fundamental to this country" said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO, NAACP. "Professional athletes serve as some of our country's greatest role models and we need them to join us to fight for democracy."

Over the past few months, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed into law extreme voting laws to severely restrict the right to vote, empowered vigilantes with the authority of the law to restrict women's freedom to make choices about their bodies, and has most recently codified redistricting maps that aim to disenfranchise Black, brown, and Latinx voters. Recently released data from the 2020 census shows that people of color have driven 95% of the Texas population growth.

"The continued attacks on people of color in the state of Texas are reprehensible," said Gary Bledsoe, President of the Texas NAACP. "In the absence of federal action, advocates in Texas must stand together and use all of the tools at their disposal to ensure that basic human rights are delivered to the people of Texas. We must fight for our Constitution and the freedoms that it guarantees to all Americans."

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. Appoints Sandra Douglass Morgan to Board of Directors

Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: CZR) today announced the appointment of Sandra Douglass Morgan to its Board of Directors, effective November 7, 2021, and subject to required regulatory approvals. Morgan, an attorney, is the past chairwoman of the Nevada Gaming Control board and the first African American to serve as chair.

"We are delighted to add Sandra Douglass Morgan to the Caesars Entertainment leadership team," said Gary Carano, Executive Chairman of the Board, Caesars Entertainment. "Sandra is rooted in the gaming industry in a way few others could be. Her experience as chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board and as a member of the Nevada Gaming Commission gives her a deep understanding of our industry. Her leadership as an attorney for gaming corporations and government entities adds another lens through which she has developed a unique perspective which will help our company continue to move forward as the gaming landscape evolves and grows."

Morgan was appointed chairwoman and executive director of the Nevada Gaming Control board in January of 2019 after serving on the Nevada Gaming Commission. In her role as chair of Nevada gaming's regulatory agency, Morgan implemented sweeping changes, including ensuring licensees adopted and implemented policies against discrimination and paving the way for cashless wagering at machines and table games, as well as steering the industry through the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Sandra is a proven leader, team builder, and passionate advocate for always doing the right thing," said Tom Reeg, CEO of Caesars Entertainment. "I'm pleased to add her independent voice to our strong board of directors. I look forward to working with her, the rest of our board, and the management team to continue to drive results for our guests, our Team Members, and our shareholders."

Before becoming chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, Morgan served as Director of External Affairs for AT&T Services, Inc., responsible for managing AT&T's government and community affairs in Nevada. She previously served as the City Attorney for the City of North Las Vegas and was the first African American City Attorney in Nevada. She began her career as a litigation attorney in the gaming industry.

Morgan currently serves as a board member of the following publicly traded companies: Fidelity National Financial, Allegiant Travel Company, and Cerberus Cyber Sentinel Corp.

With the addition of Morgan, Caesars Entertainment's Board of Directors will grow to 10 members.

Byron Allen's Allen Media Group Acquires The Free Streaming Service HBCUGo.TV

Byron Allen's Allen Media Group, LLC (AMG) has acquired HBCUGo.TV from Symonds-Evans Media, LLC. HBCUGo.TV is the leading media provider for the nation's 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, (HBCUs). The acquisition expands AMG's reach to the African American community, cements its relationships with HBCUs and provides highly-rated, culturally significant content to national and global audiences. HBCUGo.TV is the latest in a series of asset-rich purchases by AMG geared to the African American market. AMG recently launched the over-the-air broadcast network theGrio.TV -- and owns the free streaming app and web digital platform theGrio.com -- to bring news, politics, health, entertainment, and relevant original content to viewers worldwide.

As part of the deal, AMG has also acquired the robust HBCUGo.TV library of more than 5,000 hours of content, featuring the HBCU students and their alumni. The current HBCUGo.TV management team, who has strong relationships with the schools, sports conference commissioners, HBCU presidents, and governing boards will continue to manage the HBCUGo.TV platform.

The acquisition also affords HBCUGo.TV an opportunity to bring treasured content to its audiences worldwide, including a first-ever partnership with the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the nation's oldest historically Black athletic conference, to broadcast 44 Black college games during the current football season, and the men's and women's basketball seasons. These broadcasts featuring all CIAA institutions will be featured on the HBCUGo.TV streaming platform (HBCUGo. TV) throughout the season.

"The HBCU brand represents over 184 years of historic excellence, dating back to 1837, which helped cultivate some of the world's greatest minds and talent, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Spike Lee, Alice Walker, Samuel L. Jackson, Earl Graves, Oprah Winfrey, Chadwick Boseman, Justice Thurgood Marshall, Common, Booker T. Washington, Taraji P. Henson, Judge Kevin Ross, Langston Hughes, Katherine Johnson, Kenya Barris, and Vice President Kamala Harris, to name a few," said Byron Allen, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Allen Media Group. "HBCUGo.TV positions us to speak to the heart and soul of Black America 24/7, and helps us stay strongly connected with one of the most valuable, untapped audiences in the world."

"We are thrilled to be a part of Byron Allen's Allen Media Group and his vision to make HBCUGo.TV the ultimate destination celebrating the excellence of HBCUs and their alumni," said HBCUGo.TV co-founder and CEO Curtis Symonds. "Our pioneer platform offers a global audience all aspects of the HBCU culture and positions the millions of brilliant young minds and alumni throughout the HBCU universe to help change the world for the greater good."

Senate confirms Karen M. Williams as U.S. District Judge for New Jersey

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Karen McGlashan Williams to serve as a U.S. District Court Judge for New Jersey.

Williams, a U.S. Magistrate Judge since 2009, is now the fourth of six federal judicial vacancies to be filled since President Joe Biden took office in January.

Williams’ confirmation was by a vote of 56-38. Eight Republican senators voted in favor of her confirmation.

LAWRENCE HAMM ENDORSES MURPHY & OLIVER IN NJ GOVERNOR RACE

Statement by Lawrence Hamm, Chairman, People’s Organization For Progression, and former U.S. Senate candidate:

I urge every person who is registered to vote in the upcoming November 2, 2021 general election in New Jersey. In the gubernatorial race I am voting for and have given my personal endorsement to the incumbents Governor Phil Murphy and Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver who are the Democratic Party candidates.

I urge everyone to vote for the Murphy and Oliver team. I am voting for them because I believe their policies will be better for our communities than those of the Republican candidates Jack Ciattarelli who is running for governor and Diane Allen for lieutenant governor.

More importantly, I believe that a Republican victory in New Jersey will strengthen the Republican Party, the party of Trump, and the white nationalist, racist and fascist movement in this country. These are dark and difficult times but I urge voters not to give into despair, complacency, and apathy.

The race for governor in New Jersey is very close. The last poll I saw said that there is only a six point difference between Murphy and his Republican opponent. Do not stay home on Election Day. Vote in record numbers like we did in 2020 for the presidential election.

When I ran for U.S. Senate in the Democratic primary election last year I received nearly 119,000 votes. I am asking every person that voted for me to cast your vote next Tuesday for Murphy and Oliver. Those of you who voted for me could provide the margin of victory for Murphy and Oliver.

This is an unsolicited endorsement. No one in the Murphy campaign has officially or unofficially asked me to do this. It has not been paid for by the Murphy campaign, any political action committee or any other entity.

I decided to do this after I went to the first campaign debate between Murphy and his opponent. I left that debate with the impression that the Republican candidate should not be the next governor of this state.

I don’t agree with the Murphy administration on every issue. I will continue to struggle to hold the administration accountable.

However, I am urging people to vote for Murphy and Oliver because I believe that it is the best course of action the people of this state, especially working people, poor people, the middle class, and people of color can take.