Sunday, July 07, 2024

President Biden calls for unity among his supporters at Black Church in Philadelphia

President Joe Biden spoke at Mount Airy Church of God in Christ, a Black church in Philadelphia while on the campaign trail Sunday. Biden called for unity among his supporters during his remarks. Watch his remarks below.

Shakur Stevenson defeats Artem Harutyunyan by unanimous decision to retain WBC title

Shakur Stevenson made his first defense of the WBC lightweight title and beat Artem Harutyunyan in the main event of Top Rank's card in his hometown of Newark, New Jersey.

Shakur won the fight by a unanimous decision and retained his title. The champion outlanded the challenger 170-74 overall and the judges scored the fight for the champion 119-109, 118-110 and 116-112. Stevenson is now 22-0 with 10 knockouts.

Stevenson is a three-division world champion, having held titles at featherweight and junior lightweight before moving up to 135 pounds in April.

Check out Stevenson'spost fight interview below:

Friday, July 05, 2024

Dr. Walter M. Kimbrough Named Interim President of Talladega College

The Talladega College Board of Trustees has announced the appointment of Dr. Walter M. Kimbrough as the interim president of the institution, effective immediately. Dr. Kimbrough brings a wealth of experience, a distinguished academic background, and a proven track record of leadership in higher education to his new role. The transformational leader has committed to serving at least one year to help the college establish stability on all fronts.

Dr. Kimbrough, widely respected for his dynamic leadership and innovative approach to education, holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia, a master’s degree from Miami University in Ohio, and a Ph.D. from Georgia State University. He has served in various influential roles in the higher education space, including president of Dillard University and Philander Smith College (now University), where he was instrumental in enhancing academic programs, increasing enrollment, and strengthening community partnerships.

Rica Lewis-Payton, ’81, chairwoman of the Talladega College Board of Trustees, expressed her gratitude to Dr. Edward L. Hill Jr., who served as the acting interim president following the recent resignation of Dr. Gregory J. Vincent, the 21st president of the College.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Hill for his dedication and stewardship during this transitional period for Talladega College. His leadership has been invaluable in maintaining the continuity and integrity of our institution,” Lewis-Payton said.

Chairwoman Lewis-Payton is enthusiastic to welcome Kimbrough to the 157-year-old institution, noting the significance of his appointment.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Kimbrough join Talladega College as our interim president. His extensive experience and visionary leadership are exactly what we need to navigate this period of transition and lay the groundwork for a prosperous future. Dr. Kimbrough’s commitment to serving for the next year will be pivotal in establishing stability and fostering growth across all areas of our college,” Lewis-Payton said.


Dr. Kimbrough is married to attorney Adria Nobles Kimbrough, a 1997 graduate of Talladega College. They are proud parents of two children, Lydia Nicole and Benjamin Barack. Their connection to the college community underscores their commitment to the institution’s success.


As Talladega College embarks on this new chapter, the campus community eagerly anticipates Dr. Kimbrough’s positive impact, which will further the College’s mission of academic excellence and community engagement.

The National Business League, National Medical Association, National Bar Association, and More Announce Collaborative Effort to Empower and Protect Black American Communities

The National Business League (NBL)®, National Medical Association (NMA)®, and National Bar Association (NBA)® are proud to announce a collaborative effort to address critical issues impacting Black communities. This initiative focuses on protecting educational pathways, enhancing wealth opportunities, improving healthcare access, reducing health disparities, and strengthening legal advocacy for Black Americans. On Thursday, June 27, 2024, the presidents of these organizations met with the White House and Congressional Black Caucus with a non-partisan agenda.

Following the recent Supreme Court decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which impacts educational equity and affirmative action, the organizations emphasize the urgency of uniting their resources and professional expertise. Our collective efforts include:

  1. Pathways to Education: The NBA, NBL, and NMA commit to fostering educational opportunities for Black students from primary school through higher education, including scholarships, mentorship, and educational resources.
  2. Protecting Wealth Opportunities: The NBL supports Black Business Enterprises (BBEs) and their workers by providing resources for business development, enterprise ownership, and economic freedom tools to close the global yet generational wealth gap.
  3. Healthcare Access and Equity: The NMA leads initiatives to improve healthcare access and outcomes for Black Americans, advocating for policies that address health disparities and expand access to quality services.
  4. Legal Advocacy: The NBA provides robust legal advocacy to protect the civil rights of Black Americans, challenging discriminatory practices and promoting justice reform.

"Healthcare is a fundamental human right," said Yolanda Lawson, MD, president of the NMA. "The NMA is committed to addressing the health disparities that disproportionately affect Black Americans and ensuring access to quality health care for all."

Through this historic partnership, the NBA, NBL, and NMA reaffirm their commitment to protecting and advancing the rights and opportunities of Black communities. Together, with hundreds of Black professional organizations in America, they will work tirelessly to create a more just, equitable, and prosperous future.

Dominique D. Calhoun, president of the NBA, said, "The NBA is dedicated to ensuring that Black Americans have equal access to justice and educational opportunities. This collaboration allows us to leverage our collective strength to make a profound impact."

About the National Medical Association: Founded in 1895, the NMA is the nation's oldest and largest organization representing Black physicians and health professionals in the U.S. The NMA promotes the collective interests of physicians and patients of African descent, advocating for parity in medicine, elimination of health disparities, and promotion of optimal health. Visit https://www.nmanet.org for more information.

About the National Business League: Founded in 1900 by Booker T. Washington, the National Business League is the first and largest trade association for Black businesses and entrepreneurs of African descent. The NBL empowers Black-owned businesses through economic advocacy, enterprise training, and development initiatives throughout the Pan-African diaspora. Visit https://www.nationalbusinessleague.org for more information.

About the National Bar Association: Founded in 1925, the National Bar Association is the nation's oldest and largest network of predominantly African American attorneys and judges. The NBA advances the interests of the African American community through legal advocacy, education, and professional development. Visit https://nationalbar.org for more information.

National Black Farmers Association Calls for Immediate Resignation of Tractor Supply President

The National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) is calling for the immediate resignation of Tractor Supply President Hal Lawton following the company's recent decision to cut diversity-focused positions and withdraw its carbon-emissions goals in response to right-wing pressure.

Tractor Supply, one of the country's largest farm-supply retailers, announced on Thursday (June 27, 2024) that it would refocus on its "85-year-old culture" and step away from "political agendas." This decision has been met with outrage from the NBFA, a non-profit organization that represents tens of thousands of African American farmers and their families nationwide.

According to Tractor Supply's statement, this decision does not change the company's commitment to its customers and team members, and providing a welcoming and respectful environment. However, NBFA President John Boyd, a shareholder and customer of Tractor Supply, believes otherwise.

"Tractor Supply has shown with its broken promises that it has little respect for black farmers," said Boyd. "As President of the NBFA, I am appalled by this decision, which is reflective of the ongoing racial tension and division in America. This affects our 130,000 members, many of whom regularly shop at Tractor Supply. Having repeatedly attempted to discuss our concerns with Mr. Hal Lawton, I am now calling for his immediate resignation."

Last year, Tractor Supply celebrated its recognition for pursuing workplace diversity. In its February annual report, the company stated its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and announced new initiatives aimed at achieving these goals. However, the recent decision to roll back these initiatives has sparked outrage and disappointment among black farmers and their supporters.

"Diversity and inclusion play a key role in moving our business forward," Tractor Supply said in its annual report. "Our workforce is approximately 51% male and 49% female, and racial and ethnic minorities comprise about 18% of our workforce."

In addition to diversity, Tractor Supply also pledged to cut its carbon footprint by 20% by 2025 and by 50% by 2030, and to achieve net-zero emissions across all operations by 2040. These commitments, along with the company's recognition for its pursuit of diversity, gave hope to many farmers, especially those from underrepresented communities.

But as Boyd pointed out, Tractor Supply continues to participate in predominantly white farm shows and events while snubbing events and opportunities for black farmers. The company has never displayed a booth or sponsored an event or training opportunity for black farmers, denying them the respect and dignity they deserve. This behavior is reflective of the widespread disdain that still exists in the agricultural industries towards people of color.

Many sectors of American society have taken action to address the shameful racial disparities that plague people of color. However, Tractor Supply has not followed suit. As an association that represents a substantial customer base for Tractor Supply, the NBFA believes its members deserve the same consideration as other agricultural associations and non-profits, who enjoy discounts on Tractor Supply purchases and program support.

"We deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, not as a nuisance," said Boyd.

For more information on this matter, please contact NBFA President John Boyd at Johnwesleyboydjr@gmail.com or 434-210-2286.

The NBFA is a non-profit organization that represents African American farmers and their families in the United States. Its education and advocacy efforts focus on civil rights, land retention, access to loans, education and agricultural training, and rural economic development for black and other small farmers.