Judge Lisa Holder White becomes first Black female justice to sit on Illinois Supreme Court

Judge Lisa Holder White has officially joined the Illinois Supreme Court as its first Black female justice.

Holder White was sworn in Thursday morning at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield in an event that drew a full theater and nearly 200 viewers online. The 54-year-old Holder White was picked by outgoing Supreme Court Justice Rita Garman as her replacement and then approved by the full court in May. That follows Illinois tradition for replacing Supreme Court justices.

Holder White thanked those who’d given speeches in her honor, and those who supported her throughout her career. She emphasized the historical significance of her swearing-in ceremony taking place in a museum dedicated to Abraham Lincoln: “The man who freed the slaves, my ancestors, is of special significance to me.”

“My heritage is a heritage that once involved minds and bodies that were shackled, and doors that were so long closed,” Holder White said. “You see, taking my oath in this place today goes far beyond a personal professional achievement. As I see it, taking my oath in this place today recognizes the undeniable value and merit of what I, as a Black woman, mother, daughter, sister, wife and jurist have to contribute to the work of our state’s highest court, it is proof positive of the progress of this great nation, and our great state.”

Holder White’s appointment was announced just a month after Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed to be the first Black woman on the U.S. Supreme Court. Jackson was sworn in last week.

“(Today) is a testimony to the notion that as women and people of color, we need not limit our dreams or settle for less because when we prepare ourselves, doors will open and we will walk through them fully equipped to serve with dignity, to serve with integrity, to serve with humility, and to serve with exceptional intellectual capabilities,” Holder White said.

Following her remarks, Holder White took her place alongside the other six members of the court and the special session was adjourned.

[SOIRCE: SOURVE CHICAGO TRIBUNE]

Missing Black Woman: Ashanti McCorkle is Missing!

NORTH CAROLINA - The Mount Holly Police Department is searching for 18-year-old Ashanti McCorkle.

She left her home late Wednesday night and has not returned.

McCorkle is possibly in the Rock Hill area.

Call the Mount Holly Police Department at 704-827-4343 if you have information.

Ronald A. Johnson Is Named Interim President of Kentucky State University

The Kentucky State University Board of Regents has named a new interim president. Dr. Ronald A. Johnson will serve the university in the interim position and will begin his appointment on July 1, 2022.

Johnson is the former president of Clark Atlanta University (CAU), where he led the development and implementation of transformational academic, financial, competitive positioning, organizational, and operating strategies that resulted in significant improvements in enrollment, first-time undergraduate student retention, six-year graduation rates, and key financial performance indicators. He is an innovator in curriculum development and led curricular and pedagogical reform at CAU including the introduction of micro credentials, technology enhanced learning, and market driven academic programs and program innovation. He led the successful development of a new strategic plan for CAU and the reaffirmation of its Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accreditation.

The Board voted on the interim president at a special-called meeting Monday, June 27. Additional information regarding his appointment will be forthcoming.

"Dr. Johnson has a distinguished record in higher education administration especially at HBCUS," shared Kentucky State University Board of Regents Chair Dr. Gerald Patton. "We, the Board of Regents are elated at his appointment and look forward to working with him as he provides institutional leadership at Kentucky State University at this critical time."

Demonstrators in Raleigh, NC demand justice for Emmett Till

Dozens of people gathered in Raleigh on Wednesday to demand a decades-old arrest warrant be served on Carolyn Bryant Donham. The demonstrators marched inside a senior living facility, which prompted Raleigh police to respond to the scene.

Timothy Loehmann, who killed Tamir Rice, withdraws from Pennsylvania police position

After a firestorm of controversy over Tioga Borough in Pennsylvania hiring the former Cleveland police officer who killed Tamir Rice, it appears Timothy Loehmann will not be hired.

The borough council approved Loehmann's appointment Tuesday night, a move that was met with immediate backlash from local protesters and on social media.

Late Thursday morning, Tioga Borough Council President Steve Hazlett posted a brief update on his Facebook page, writing, "Effective this morning, Timothy Loehmann has officially withdrawn his application for the Tioga Borough police position." The post has since been deleted, but Hazlett confirmed the statement by phone Thursday to the USA TODAY Network.

Hazlett said withdrawing from consideration was Loehmann's idea.

[SOURCE: PressConnects]