NAACP Responds To Biden’s Second State Of The Union Address

Following President Biden's second State of the Union address to Congress, NAACP President & CEO, Derrick Johnson released this statement:

"Tonight, President Biden presented a vision for the future that spoke to many issues that are top-of-mind for Black Americans including police reform, voting rights, bolstering our economy, addressing climate change, and ensuring affordable and accessible health care. Though his remarks renewed his commitment to addressing racial inequality and protecting our democracy, we need more than words– we demand action. Black America is grieving and continues to experience profound injustice at the hands of our nation's broken systems. Far too many Black people have lost their lives due to police violence and yet I cannot name a single law that has been passed to address this issue. While President Biden signed an executive order, we still need strong policies signed into law that will finally end the horrors of police brutality and hold officers accountable for their misconduct.

"In the year ahead, we will continue calling on President Biden and our other elected leaders to join us as we speak out against what doesn't work for Black America and advocate for the policies that will result in the changes we're demanding. The NAACP looks forward to the bold actions that will follow President Biden's words tonight and will hold him accountable for his promises, as we always do."

The National Museum of African American History and Culture Releases Book on Black Spirituality

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture has announced the release of a new book of photographs and essays exploring ways Blacks have engaged in the practice of religion and spirituality from the 19th century to the present titled Movements, Motions, Moments: Photographs of Religion and Spirituality from the National Museum of African American History and Culture

The eighth volume in the Double Exposure series, Movements, Motions, Moments draws upon the visual images in NMAAHC’s collection to explore the dynamic ways religion is engaged and practiced by African Americans.

Movements, Motions, Moments shows how African Americans have negotiated their participation and engagement in religious spaces. The book is divided into three sections—Movements, Motions, and Moments. Images of figures including Rev. Henry Highland Garnett, Noble Drew Ali, Father Divine, Prophet Elijah Muhammad, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rev. Pauli Murray, Bishop Myokei Cain-Barrett, and others are depicted next to photographs of religious celebrations, ritual practices, and individual moments of faith and spirituality. Photographers include Lola Flash, Chester Higgins, Jason Miccolo Johnson, Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, Kenneth Royster, James Van Der Zee, Milton Williams, Lloyd W. Yearwood, and others.

Photographs in this volume range from the nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first centuries and include religious traditions such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, African indigenous, non-secular, and other religious traditions (Humanism, Atheism, Spiritualism, and others). It also includes photography capturing contemporary events and movements including Black Lives Matter and the global pandemic.

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Dale G. Caldwell, Ed.D. Named 15th President of Centenary University

The Centenary University Board of Trustees has unanimously approved the appointment of Dale G. Caldwell, Ed.D., as the University’s 15th president. Dr. Caldwell, who will be the first African American president of the University, will begin his tenure at Centenary on July 1.

Dr. Caldwell is currently executive director of the Rothman Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Fairleigh Dickinson University, as well as president of the board of the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey. His experience includes being the founding executive director of the Newark Alliance, deputy commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, and a senior manager at Deloitte Consulting. He will succeed current Centenary University President Bruce Murphy, Ed.D., who last fall announced his retirement effective June 30.

In making the announcement, Centenary University Board Chair Rochelle Makela-Goodman cited Dr. Caldwell’s extensive leadership in higher education, business, and government and his commitment to fostering innovation and diversity as key drivers of the board’s decision. “This was an extremely competitive process that began with more than 100 applicants,” Makela-Goodman said. “Dr. Caldwell’s impressive experience leading programs that promote educational access, innovation, revenue generation, equity, and entrepreneurship, and his success in forging partnerships with New Jersey businesses to advance education, align strongly with our mission and the experience sought by students in our region. The board looks forward to supporting Dr. Caldwell’s comprehensive strategy to build on the great work of Dr. Murphy.”

As executive director of the Fairleigh Dickinson University Rothman Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship for the past four years, Dr. Caldwell has led the transformation of the organization to become the state’s most influential entrepreneurial institute serving family businesses, veteran entrepreneurs, and urban enterprises. His success building this institute led to his recognition as one of the 50 Most Influential People in Higher Education in New Jersey by NJBIZ. Dr. Caldwell is also president of the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey, steering the development of a strategic vision and recommending operational initiatives resulting in a $132 million revenue increase during his 21-year tenure.

In addition, Dr. Caldwell has held senior executive positions in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. He began his career at Deloitte Consulting, where he was promoted to senior manager, served as the founding executive director of the Newark Alliance, which is focused on the education and economic revitalization of Newark, and later became the deputy commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, which provides financial support and technical advice to municipalities, businesses, and individuals.

Throughout his career, Dr. Caldwell has been appointed to a number of leadership roles that advance diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging. At Fairleigh Dickinson University, he is the chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Council, leading the University’s diversity initiatives and playing a key role in securing a $1.5 million state grant to provide diversity training and sensitivity analysis of instruction and courses. Dr. Caldwell is also a recipient of the ROI Influencers People of Color and Diversity & Inclusion awards as one of the most influential people of color and experts on DEI in the state.

A resident of New Brunswick, NJ, Dr. Caldwell is president of the city’s Board of Education, serving as both an appointed and elected member of the board since 1998. In 2009, he was named the New Jersey School Board Member of the Year by the New Jersey School Boards Association. He is also a Licensed Local Pastor with the Greater New Jersey Conference of the United Methodist Church. Dr. Caldwell earned a Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University (Economics), a Master of Business Administration (Finance) from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and a Doctor of Education Administration from Seton Hall University.

“I am grateful for the board’s confidence in my ability to lead Centenary at this pivotal time in the University’s history,” Dr. Caldwell said. Citing the University’s strong commitment to the success of its students and the Skylands Region, he continued, “I look forward to strengthening partnerships between the University and business leaders to grow Centenary’s reputation for scholarship, entrepreneurship, and service.”

Tennessee State University marching band gets historic Grammy wins

The Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands won a Grammy for Best Roots Gospel Album and Best Spoken Word Album during the 65th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday.

TSU’s marching band won for their albums “The Urban Hymnal” and “The Poet Who Say By The Door.”

This is the first time a collegiate marching band has ever won a Grammy.

[SOURCE: WSMV]

Yale University honors 9-year-old Black girl reported to police over lanternfly project

After a neighbor called police on Bobbi Wilson while she was spraying spotted lanternflies, Professor Ijeoma Opara planned an event in her honor, introducing her to other Black female scientists. Watch the full story below: