House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement on social media about former president and now convicted felon Donald Trump's guilty verdict
America is a nation built upon the rule of law. The jury has spoken and carefully rendered a decision. Responsible leadership requires the verdict to be respected.
— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) May 30, 2024
This evening, a 12-person jury in Manhattan found former president Donald Trump guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal alleged affairs during his 2016 campaign. The conviction comes amidst three ongoing cases against the current Republican presidential candidate.
Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO shared the following statement:
"Today is a monumental step toward justice for the American people. Whether it's an attempt to steal an election or overthrow our government, one thing has long been apparent - Donald Trump is unfit to represent American democracy. The NAACP strongly believes that anyone who has been found guilty of criminal offenses of this magnitude is unfit to occupy the Oval Office. As Black Americans have been denied basic human rights due to less offensive crimes, any attempt to advance Donald Trump's nomination for Presidency would be a gross advancement of white supremacist policy."
Watch the press conference Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg held after former President Trump was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records.
The NAACP has announced the official launch of their Building Community Voice Fund (BCVF). The non-partisan, multi-million dollar fund established by the NAACP to provide grants to 501(c)(3) voter registration and voter turnout initiatives and organizations, including complementary voter education and voter protection programs.
Dominik Whitehead, NAACP Vice President of Campaigns shared the following statement:
"This year, The NAACP is laser-focused through our robust civic engagement work. As we mobilize 13.5 million Black voters across 12 priority states, we recognize the power of investing directly in community. The Building Community Voice Fund will provide crucial resources to our grassroots organizations, ensuring that Black Americans are informed and engaged around pivotal local elections that are too often overlooked. Together, we will ensure that democracy prevails and Black voices are heard loud and clear."
Our research shows that targeted investment in state groups have positive effects on Black voters' daily lives. With a continued commitment to the BCVF program, the NAACP aims to delve deeper into defining the impact of investing in competitive races in both competitive and progressive counties.
"In many Black communities, a lack of resources directly contributes to low voter registration and subsequent election turnout," said Brittany Smith, Program Director of the NAACP Building Community Voice Fund. "The BCVF program is critical for Black Americans to have a voice in this crucial upcoming election and beyond."
To learn more about the NAACP's Building Community Voice Fund, visit our website.
The New Agreement Comes at the Mark of the 20th Anniversary of Square One Debuting as America's Original All-Organic Spirits Company
Uncle Nearest, the top-selling Black-owned spirit company in the world, announces the acquisition of Square One Organic Spirits. In 2004, Square One revolutionized the spirits industry by becoming the first company dedicated to producing exclusively USDA certified organic spirits and was the first organic rye vodka brand. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Square One boasts lifetime sales exceeding $22 million with nearly 200,000 cases sold. This achievement was largely driven by Founder and CEO Allison Evanow's remarkable effort as the primary, and often sole, salesperson throughout most of the brand's history.
In a bold expansion, last year Uncle Nearest acquired Domaine Saint Martin, an esteemed estate with over 350 years of history and a connection to cognac-making luminaries. Spanning more than 100 acres along the Charente River in Cognac, France, the estate includes 40 percent of the Grande Champagne vineyards in the city—recognized as the most prestigious cru for Cognac production. This makes Uncle Nearest the largest owner of Grande Champagne vineyards within the city. This strategic acquisition not only secured a significant historic and production asset but also marked Uncle Nearest's ambitious entry into the Cognac market. They are now adding another pillar to their spirits house: Vodka.
"In 2020, I expressed our vision for Uncle Nearest to not just be a brand, but to become the first spirits conglomerate in America founded by a woman or person of color," stated Fawn Weaver, Founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest." Many saw this as wishful thinking since we
Under the new partnership, Square One will maintain its commitment to farm-to-glass production and will introduce a new line of organic, gluten-free options designed to appeal to a broader consumer base. Evanow will continue to play a pivotal leadership role, ensuring the brand's founding principles remain at the forefront of its expanded operations. A rebranding of Square One Organic Vodka, led by The Formulation Group, will be unveiled prior to expanding into all 50 states this summer.
"While we have really loved being an independent brand so that we could focus on quality organic ingredients and unique flavor profiles, the intense demands of handling nearly all sales personally underscored the need for stronger backing," says Evanow. "Uncle Nearest will not only preserve our independent spirit and world class quality, but also bring the robust sales and distribution capabilities we need to reach our full potential."
"There is a clear demand for brands that are authentically owned and culturally resonant. Consumers are increasingly discerning, seeking products that not only deliver high quality but also maintain genuine ties to the communities they represent," Weaver adds. "This shift towards authenticity has created a pivotal opportunity for a company like ours. With Uncle Nearest's extensive national distribution network and our deep commitment to heritage and authenticity, we are perfectly positioned to meet this growing demand. By entering the vodka market, we're not just expanding our portfolio, we're responding to a consumer call for transparent, culturally connected brands."
