NAACP HOLDING A "CONFIRM KETANJI BROWN JACKSON" WATCH PARTY

A Black woman nominated for the Supreme Court of the United States is history in the making and long overdue. Let's celebrate, support, and prepare for a more inclusive Court.

Since 1789, of the 115 people who have served on the Supreme Court, only three of them have been people of color – and only five have been women. Having a Black woman on the Supreme Court bench is vital.

Join the NAACP as they mark this historic appointment at their watch party for her Senate hearing on Monday, March 21 at 10:45 AM ET. You can watch at NAACP.ORG or at the  NAACP | Facebook Page.

We will be joined by powerful influencers and public figures as well as viewers from all 50 states. Hear from scholars, leaders, and organizers throughout our community as we share the joy and significance of this nomination together. Join us for this watch party moderated by Aisha Mills, Host of AMplified on BNC, and featuring the following commentators:

• Star Jones, Attorney, Author, Host
• Janette Wallace, General Counsel, NAACP
• Rev. Leah Daughtry, Political Strategist
• Donna Brazile, Political Analyst
• Sarah Glover, Managing Editor, MPR News
• Keith Boykin, Political Commentator
• Stephanie Young, Executive Director, When We All Vote
• Nicole Austin-Hillery, President and CEO, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
• Derrick Johnson, President and CEO, NAACP

Assemblywoman Angela V. McKnight Named Chair of the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus Foundation

The Board Members of the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus Foundation has selected Assemblywoman Angela V. McKnight (D-Hudson County) to serve as chair of the organization. “I am honored that my peers have selected me to chair this very important organization of legislators, corporate leaders and community stakeholders,” said Assemblywoman McKnight who was also named Assembly Deputy Majority Leader this session.

Assemblywoman McKnight is serving her fourth term in the General Assembly and was the first African American woman elected to serve the 31st district of New Jersey. She has been very vocal on issues that affect Black people and disadvantaged populations throughout the state.

The New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus Foundation is committed to addressing issues that affect the quality of life of Black residents as well as the civil and human rights of all people. “As a state legislator I have the opportunity to change and implement laws that make living in New Jersey better; now as the chair of this non-profit arm, I get to go above and beyond that role,” says Assemblywoman McKnight.

The New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus provides educational and recreational activities for the community; organizes and promotes collaboration amongst legislators, business leaders and organizational leaders; provides scholarship and internship opportunities for students, and sponsors seminars and forums to educate the community on legislative policy.

About: The New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus Foundation is a non-profit corporation created for the purpose of promoting public policy by encouraging the interaction of the community with legislators and members of government at all levels. Visit: https://njlbcf.org/

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman and others celebrate House Passage of the CROWN Act

The House of Representatives has passed H.R.2116, the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act. The act would prohibit discrimination based on a person's hair texture or hairstyle if that style or texture is commonly associated with a particular race or national origin. Specifically, the bill prohibits this type of discrimination against those participating in federally assisted programs, housing programs, public accommodations, and employment. Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) reintroduced the CROWN Act in March 2021. Similar bills have already passed in 15 states and 30 cities.

“Natural Black hair is often deemed ‘unprofessional’ simply because it does not conform to white beauty standards,” said Rep. Watson Coleman. “Discrimination against Black hair is discrimination against Black people. I’m proud to have played a part to ensure that we end discrimination against people for how their hair grows out of their head.”

“Black women, men, and children face discrimination for wearing their natural hair texture and experience serious obstacles at work and school because of it. On top of that, Black women in particular face pressure at work to style their hair in a way that's considered more acceptable because too often, the consequences for not doing so are real and deeply felt,” said Rep Gwen Moore (WI-04). “I am honored to join my colleagues to protect against hair discrimination and ensure every Black person can style their crown as they please.”

“I want my two girls to grow up in a world where they know they will not be discriminated against because of their hair or the way they look,” said Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05). “I am thrilled to see the passage of this very important legislation. It’s time that natural hair is a point of pride, not something to hide. I am proud to have worked on this bill with Rep. Watson Coleman and my colleagues to end race-based hair discrimination.”

“For decades, Black and Brown people have been penalized for wearing natural hair styles deemed as ‘unprofessional,’” said Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-13). “It is unacceptable to be discriminated against for wearing your natural hair in the workplace, in school, or anywhere. Rep. Watson Coleman, Rep. Pressley, Rep. Omar, Rep. Moore, and I have taken direct aim at prohibiting race-based hair discrimination because everyone should be able to show up as their authentic selves and be treated with respect. I'm pleased that the CROWN Act has once again passed the House. It's time for the Senate to finish the job and make it law.”

“For centuries, Black folks’ hair—particularly that of Black women—has been politicized and weaponized to discriminate and reject the dignity and beauty of our people,” said Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-07). “By passing the CROWN Act out of the House today, we’re taking a bold step toward ending race-based hair discrimination and affirming the right for all of us to show up in the world as our full and authentic selves, no matter where we work or go to school. I’m so grateful to Reps. Watson-Coleman, Lee, Omar and Moore for their partnership. I’m honored to co-lead this bill and look forward to seeing this critical bill signed into law.”

“No one should be discriminated against because of their race, gender, or even their hair,” said Rep. Don Bacon (NE-2). “Unfortunately, there has been an increase of race-based hair prejudice in the workplace, schools, and within federal assistance programs. I’m glad to work with Rep. Watson Coleman to eliminate this bias and start enforcing more equity within our community."

"As a lifelong racial equity champion who created the legislative and social impact strategy for the CROWN Act movement I lead nationwide on behalf of the CROWN Coalition I co-created, I couldn't be prouder today,” said Adjoa B. Asamoah, CROWN Act Legislative and Social Impact Strategist & CROWN Coalition Co-Creator “Effectively tackling anti-Blackness and problematic Eurocentric standards of beauty requires partnership and leadership. I am eternally grateful to Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman for both"

The CROWN Act is cosponsored by a bipartisan group of 116 Representatives. A companion bill is sponsored in the Senate by New Jersey Senator Cory Booker.

Pamela Moses granted new trial on voter fraud conviction

A motion has been granted for a new trial for Pamela Moses, the Memphis woman sentenced to six years in prison earlier this month after being convicted a year ago on charges of illegally registering to vote.

ABC News' Linsey Davis speaks with activist Pamela Moses and her lawyer on her release from prison and how her voter fraud conviction was granted a new trial.

American Bar Association Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary rates Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson “Well Qualified”

The American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary has completed its evaluation of the professional qualifications of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, President Biden’s nominee to the United States Supreme Court, and has given her a unanimous rating of “Well Qualified.”

The Standing Committee confines its evaluation to the qualities of integrity, professional competence and judicial temperament. The Honorable Ann Claire Williams (Ret.), chair of the ABA’s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, is scheduled to testify about the rating before the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday, March 24.

The ABA’s letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee on the rating can be read here.

The ABA is the largest voluntary association of lawyers in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.