Congressional Black Caucus Issues Statement on University of Florida decision to eliminate its diversity, equity, and inclusion offices

Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steven Horsford (NV-04) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement on the University of Florida decision to eliminate its diversity, equity, and inclusion offices:

“The decision today by the University of Florida to eliminate its diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and to fire staff focused on creating a more inclusive learning environment, is far out of step with the standards and values expected of a public institution of higher education that is a member of the American Association of Universities, and which receives its accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

“Contrary to Governor DeSantis’ claim that ‘DEI is toxic’, it is intolerance that is toxic. Since the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action, DEI programs have come under attack on college campuses, in the corporate sector and beyond – this being the latest example. The University of Florida, as a public institution that receives federal funding, should be evaluated for potential civil rights violations.”

NABJ Appalled by Gray TV Affiliate KMOV’s Use of ‘Colored’ on Air

The National Association of Black Journalists released the following statement after an incident in which a St. Louis TV news anchor at KMOV referred to Black homeowners as “colored.”

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is appalled and disappointed by a recent incident at KMOV, Gray Television’s affiliate in St. Louis. While teasing a story about Black homeowners and appraisals, an anchor referred to the homeowners as “colored.”

It is upsetting that such a slur would make it to air. The term is outdated, offensive and racist. We are concerned that no one in the KMOV newsroom caught this error, and we question KMOV’s editorial process when it comes to cultural awareness.

Given that St. Louis’ population is 43% Black, and the city is no stranger to racial strife, we would hope KMOV would be more sensitive in how it covers the Black community.

While we understand that there have been multiple on-air apologies and KMOV management has met with local leaders, that is not enough. KMOV and Gray TV should retrain their employees on diversity, equity and inclusion issues while investing in recruiting and retaining Black employees on and off-air.

Management at KMOV has reached out to NABJ to learn how to educate the newsroom on issues within the Black community.

“We look forward to these discussions with KMOV’s management,” said NABJ President Ken Lemon and Vice President-Broadcast Walter Smith Randolph. “However, this further shows the fight for equal treatment and fair coverage is not over. We hope these discussions will be fruitful and yield documentable results.”

NABJ will continue to monitor this station and the efforts of Gray TV to enhance its processes and protocols to eliminate this and similar issues.

Dr. Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman Appointed President of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman has been named president of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine for the 2024-2025 term. The society, based in Washington, was established to optimize equitable health outcomes for all birthing people by serving as a professional voice for clinicians and researchers who study high-risk pregnancy care.

Dr. Gyamfi-Bannerman is a professor of obstetrics and gynecology and the Yen Endowed Chair of the department of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine. Prior to her current appointment, she was the Ellen Jacobson Levine and Eugene Jacobson Professor and vice chair for faculty development in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University in New York, where she taught for 16 years.

When the COVID-19 pandemic spread throughout the United States, Dr. Gyamfi-Bannerman’s team at Columbia University was one of the first to examine the infection in pregnant women. Her efforts led to her appointment as co-chair of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ COVID Task Force. Her academic accomplishments have won her numerous awards including the research award from the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, as well as recognition for Research Excellence from the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

“I appreciate the support I have received from my faculty and trainee colleagues here at UC San Diego along with colleagues from around the world,” said Dr. Gyamfi-Bannerman. “Together we will work to advance our field and our reach, improving patient outcomes and eliminating health disparities.”

Dr. Gyamfi-Bannerman received her bachelor’s degree in biology and her M.D. from the University of Miami in Florida. She holds a master’s degree in biostatistics from Columbia University.

[SOURCE: JBHE]

Trump Supporters Share Fake AI Images to Sway African American Voters

Pro-Trump conservatives are making a push to win over black votes to support the former president with images generated by artificial intelligence.

Conservatives have published dozens of false images designed to deceive the public, also known as “deepfakes,” featuring black voters wearing pro-Trump paraphernalia and standing around him, according to the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation).

Kelly Redmond Joins African American Board Leadership Institute as President and CEO

The African American Board Leadership Institute (AABLI) has selected Kelly Redmond as its new President and Chief Executive Officer.

Redmond is passionate about building a beloved community, impacting systemic change, advancing Black equity, leadership development, cross sector strategic partnerships, and building strengths-based cultures.

Over the past 30 years, she has co-led with iconic business, nonprofit, and civil rights luminaries both locally and nationally. She has been an impactful leader in nonprofit management, government and political leadership, and philanthropy.

Ebony Magazine recognized Kelly Redmond as one of “30 Leaders of the Future Under 30.” She was lauded the youngest alumnae and first African American to receive the Drake University Young Alumni Achievement Award. She earned an MBA in finance at Clark Atlanta University in the executive MBA program. Kelly is a proud AABLI Alumna from Cohort 10. She is a graduate fellow of the University of Southern California Center for Social Innovation. Kelly was an executive fellow of America’s Leaders of Change.

“The future of AABLI is brimming with immense opportunities to leverage leadership development to generate transformative impact across the Los Angeles African American community and beyond. Under the visionary leadership of Kelly Redmond, we are profoundly optimistic about expanding the leadership ranks of our community and activating a movement that builds black power and sustains black permanence” remarked Virgil Roberts, Founder and Board Chairman.

Kelly has a long-term history of impacting diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in governance and leadership. She co-created the National Diversity Trustee Training Program. She has served on the NAACP Image Awards Nominating Committee, Torrey Pines Bank Advisory Board, WXIA-TV. Kelly is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

“The opportunity to lead the AABLI movement fulfills my personal vision and mission of manifesting Dr. Martin Luther King’s beloved community where all are treated with dignity and respect. I fundamentally believe investing in and expanding the decision-making power of cross sector Black leadership is critical to restoring the heart and soul of America,” Redmond emphasized.

Since 2011, AABLI has trained over 1,000 African Americans in board governance, and 300 are actively serving on a broad range of governing boards.

Visit and follow The African American Board Leadership Institute at www.AABLI.org

and @theaabli