National Museum of African American History and Culture to Hold Juneteenth Events

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture will host a variety of activities virtual and in-person highlighting the experience of Blacks celebrating Juneteenth.

The programming schedule consists of:

• Tuning In To Juneteenth, June 6 at 6 p.m. This virtual program features Stephen Lewis, the museum’s curator of music and the performing arts, discussing the debut of the Juneteenth Playlist featuring the best of jazz, soul, rhythm, and blues, gospel, classical and other genres. The program is free but registration is required.

• Juneteenth Dishes to Taste and Savor, June 6 at 6 p.m. Museum curator Joanne Hyppolite and Sweet Home Café Chef Ramin Coles will talk virtually about how at-home audiences can design and cook a Juneteenth Day menu. The program is free but registration is free.

• Public Program: Texas Freedom Colonies, June 11, 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m. ET. Andrea Roberts, a scholar at the University of Texas at Austin, will discuss her work researching, documenting, preserving, and mapping “Freedom Colonies”—areas where Blacks started intentional communities between 1865-1935 during Reconstruction and the Jim Crow eras in Texas. This event will occur in the Oprah Winfrey Theater and will be streamed on the museum’s platforms. The program is free but registration is required.

• Public Program: Juneteenth: Watermelon & Red Birds—A Conversation with Nicole A. Taylor, June 13 at 7 p.m. This in-person event, which will take place in the Oprah Winfrey Theater, will showcase cookout author Nicole A. Taylor and Kevin Young of the museum discussing Taylor’s latest work “Watermelon & Red Birds.” The book talks about 19th century Juneteenth celebration and the latest recipes for modern-day tastes. A reception will follow the discussion and books will be available to purchase. The program is free but registration is required.

• One Year Later: Juneteenth for all Americans, June 15 at 7 p.m. Kevin Young of the museum moderates in-person a panel of scholars as they discuss the historic and social complexity of Juneteenth. The program is free but registration is required.

• Juneteenth Community Day, June 19. Celebrate the festivities of Juneteenth in person at the museum with three community events. There will also be craft-making activities occurring from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. All programs are free but registration is required.

• Storytime: The ABCs of Black History by Rio Cortez, June 20 at 11 a.m. Noted author Rio Cortex will read from her book “The ABCs of Black History.” The program is free but registration is required.

• Juneteenth Soundstage: Alphonso Horne and the Gotham Kings, June 20 at 3 p.m. ET. Two-time Grammy-nominated trumpeter Alphonso Horne and the Gotham Kings bring the sounds of New Orleans in-person and virtually, to the museum’s Oprah Winfrey Theater. The program is free but registration is required.

• Juneteenth: A Soldier’s Story, June 20 at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. Museum visitors can learn about the United States Colored Troops, the Black servicemen during the Civil War, and their connection to Juneteenth.    

Vice President Kamala Harris to attend funeral for Ruth Whitfield, victim of Buffalo massacre

Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff will travel to Buffalo on Saturday to attend the funeral of Ruth Whitfield.

86-year-old Whitfield, died in the mass shooting at Tops on Jefferson Avenue on May 14. 10 people in total were killed and three others were injured.

Whitfield was the mother of former Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield.

While in Buffalo, VP Harris and Second Gentleman Emhoff will also meet with the families of other victims.

[SOURCE WKBW]

NEA President rejects call to arm teachers in wake of school massacre in Uvalde, Texas

Training teachers to carry firearms in schools has often been proposed as a deterrent to would-be mass shooters targeting schoolchildren, but the leadership of the National Education association opposes the idea.

NEA President Becky Pringle released the following statement on arming teachers:

“Our public schools should be the safest places for students and educators, yet the gunshots from a lone shooter armed with a military-grade weapon shattered the physical safety of the school community in Uvalde, Texas. The powerful gun lobby and their allies did not waste a second after the horrific killing of 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School to call for arming teachers. Bringing more guns into schools makes schools more dangerous and does nothing to shield our students and educators from gun violence. We need fewer guns in schools, not more. Teachers should be teaching, not acting as armed security guards.

“We need common-sense solutions now. Schools need more mental health professionals, not pistols; teachers need more resources, not revolvers. Arming teachers makes schools more dangerous and does nothing to protect students and their families when they go off to school, shop at the grocery store, attend church services, ride the subway, or simply walk down the streets of their neighborhoods. Those lawmakers pushing to arm teachers and fortify school buildings are simply trying to distract us from their failure to prevent another mass shooting.    

“Educators and parents overwhelmingly reject the idea of arming school staff. Rather than arming educators with guns, we need to be giving them the tools needed to inspire their students. Rather than putting the responsibility on individual teachers, our elected leaders need to pass laws that protect children from gun violence and bring an end to senseless and preventable killings. Americans want the carnage to stop. My message to Congress: What are you going to do?”

Amanda Gorman writes poem in response to school shooting in Uvalde, Texas

In the wake of the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Texas poet Amanda Gorman tweeted out a poem that points out the reality of gun violence in America.

Schools scared to death.
The truth is, one education under desks,
Stooped low from bullets;
That plunge when we ask
Where our children
Shall live
& how
& if

— Amanda Gorman (@TheAmandaGorman) May 24, 2022

Philanthropists Kenneth and Kathryn Chenault Donate $2 Million to Howard Law for Vernon Jordan Endowed Chair

Philanthropists Kenneth and Kathryn Chenault have donated $2 million to Howard University in memory of their longtime friend and mentor, the late Vernon Jordan, to support an endowed chair at the School of Law. The gift for the Vernon E. Jordan Jr., Esq., Endowed Chair will be made to support the recruitment, teaching, research, service and other activities of the professor.

“Ken and Kathryn have been loyal friends of Vernon Jordan for decades,” said Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick. “The value of that relationship is manifested here in this generous gift to the Vernon E. Jordan Jr., Esq., Endowed Chair. This gift will allow students and faculty to continue to benefit and grow in the likeness of Mr. Jordan. The shared values of Mr. Jordan and the Chenaults will also be embraced and celebrated through the endowed chair.”

“We are thankful to the Chenaults for this gift to the Vernon E. Jordan Jr., Esq., Endowed Chair,” said Danielle Holley-Walker, dean of the Howard University School of Law. “Mr. Jordan’s love of the law school, lifetime of public service, and commitment to racial justice are an inspiration to our students, faculty and alumni. With this generous donation, Howard Law graduates will uphold his legacy of excellence in their own lives and careers.”

Jordan (J.D. ’60) died in 2021 at 85. He had a storied career as a civil rights activist. As a lawyer, his firm sued to desegregate the University of Georgia. Later, Jordan worked with the NAACP, Southern Regional Council, Voter Education Project, United Negro College Fund and National Urban League. He also was an adviser to President Bill Clinton.

As a pioneering and influential business figure, Jordan championed and mentored Black senior executives, including Ken Chenault, who served as chairman and CEO of American Express from 2001-2018. Jordan was the longest-serving independent board director in the company’s history.

Currently, Ken Chenault is chairman and managing director of the venture capital firm General Catalyst. Kathryn Chenault is a patron of the arts and an advocate for equitable education and health care. A former practicing attorney, Kathryn Chenault serves on many boards that reflect her deep commitment to community and civic service. Together, their philanthropic commitments are a reflection of their dedication to social justice, education, and making a lasting positive impact on society.

“Vernon’s education at Howard law was a catalyst for his extraordinary success in life,” said Ken Chenault. “It gave him the knowledge to harness the law for social justice and the confidence to thrive in the business world, where he was a mentor and champion to many, and a dear, supportive friend to Kathy and me. We are honored to make this gift to Howard law so the Vernon E. Jordan Jr., Esq., Endowed Chair may continue his legacy of excellence.”

Both of Ken Chenault’s parents were Howard alumni and Commencement speakers who finished first in their classes, Anne Chenault from the School of Dental Hygiene and Hortenius Chenault from the School of Dentistry. Kathryn’s mother, Elaine Hancock, and her stepfather, Victor Hancock, also were Howard alumni, and Victor was a top graduate from the School of Dentistry. Kathryn’s grandfather, Albert Cassell, a noted Black architect, designed several buildings on campus, including the historic Founders Library.

[SOURCE: HOWARD.EDU]