'Dear America, A Letter From Black Women' Documentary Explores Impact of Black Women in American Politics

Project Ready, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowerment through civic engagement, announces a national tour for "Dear America, A Letter From Black Women" - a feature film that highlights the role of Black women in American politics. The documentary is part of The Dear America Project, a movement to mobilize Black women and allies across the nation and encourage their participation in the election process.

Trailer For 'Dear America, A Letter From Black Women'

"In this historic moment - when a Black woman is running for president - the story of 'Dear America' and the role of Black women in politics is more relevant and important than ever," said Shennell Barnes-McCloud, CEO, Project Ready. "This film not only amplifies silenced voices but also serves as a call to action to mobilize our community and participate in the civic process by using democracy as a tool to empower and uplift."

This documentary film and social impact campaign shine a light on the untold stories of Black women and explore their pivotal role in shaping the nation's political history. From scholars to activists, the film spotlights diverse voices of Black women as they work to defend their rights and the future of American democracy in the face of rising threats. The film features interviews with Black activists, scholars and changemakers, including Hill Harper, Dr. Martin Luther King III, Andrea Waters King, LaTosha Brown, and Lindsey Granger.

As part of the tour, the Dear America project is working with partners to secure a pledge to vote from 100,000 Black women across the country.

The 'Dear America' A Letter From Black Women short film tour will make stops in Chappaqua, New York; Durham, North Carolina; Newark, New Jersey; Atlanta, Georgia; Savannah, Georgia; New York, New York; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; New Orleans, Louisiana; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and other cities to be announced shortly. To RSVP for a showing, please click here.

About Project Ready
Project Ready works to close the opportunity gaps and improve life outcomes by powering communities through civic engagement. First started in 2018 as a grassroots advocacy organization to increase voter turnout, Project Ready has since expanded its focus to include issues related to social justice, public health, and educational inequities. Visit https://www.projectreadynj.org/.

About Dear America, A Letter from Black Women
In a world where the voices of Black women have often been marginalized and silenced, "Dear America, A Letter from Black Women" is a powerful call to action and a testament to the enduring strength and resilience of Black women. This documentary film and social impact campaign shines a light on the untold stories of Black women, from their centuries-long battle for democracy to their continued fight against the rising threats to the future of our nation. The "Dear America" project is about more than just a film – it's a movement. It's about Black women rising up, claiming their rightful place at the forefront of the struggle for justice and equality, and demanding a future that reflects their values, their strength, and their unwavering determination. This election season, the "Dear America" project is mobilizing Black women and allies across the nation to not just vote, but to take a stand.

Police Leaders for Community Safety Endorses Kamala Harris for President

Police Leaders for Community Safety, a nonpartisan organization of law enforcement leaders from across the nation, today announced its endorsement of Kamala Harris for President. 

“This endorsement reflects Vice President Harris’ track record and unwavering commitment to public safety and the rule of law,” said Sue Riseling, Chair of Police Leaders for Community Safety.  “As police leaders who have led law enforcement agencies and the major national law enforcement leadership groups, we know first-hand what it will take to make our communities safer – and that includes having Kamala Harris as our next President,” Riseling added.

“Vice President Harris spent her prosecutorial career protecting people, supporting victims and holding accountable those who have harmed others and betrayed the public trust. As a lawmaker, she has fought hard for the critical law enforcement-backed policies needed to fight crime and protect the public,” said Police Leaders for Community Safety Board member David Mahoney, former Sheriff of Dane County, WI and past President of the National Sheriffs’ Association.

“Too many politicians call themselves tough on crime and say they support law enforcement but then don’t have the courage to do what is right to keep us safe,” said  Board Vice Chair Rick Myers, who has been a police chief in eight communities in multiple states, including Wisconsin and Michigan. “It is unacceptable that gun violence is now the leading cause of death for children and teens. We need a leader who will protect both the 2nd Amendment and our nation from the scourge of gun violence, and that leader is Kamala Harris.” 

“This election will decide the direction of our country on policies critical to the safety of Americans and the health of our democracy,” said Cynthia Herriott, who served as Police Chief in Rochester, NY and on the Board of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). “Kamala Harris is someone who stands up to special interests and we can count on her to do the hard work of keeping our communities safe.”

Led by a diverse group of prominent police professionals – who have been at the helm of the major national law enforcement leadership groups – the organization champions policies to make communities and the people in them safer, improve and evolve policing, and safeguard the rule of law.

Police Leaders for Community Safety is the only national police leadership organization that endorses candidates for political office, and this is the group’s first endorsement. This and future endorsements will be based on candidates’ alignment on issues vital to law enforcement, including policies to make our communities safer, resources for federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement, support for improving and evolving policing, and commitment to safeguarding the rule of law and protecting public processes. 

About Police Leaders for Community Safety: Police Leaders for Community Safety is a nonpartisan national advocacy organization (501(c)4) formed by prominent law enforcement leaders to promote policies and public investments that make our communities safer, improve the policing profession, protect public processes, and preserve human dignity. 

LAS VEGAS ACES’ A’JA WILSON UNANIMOUSLY WINS 2024 KIA WNBA MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARD

Las Vegas Aces center-forward A’ja Wilson has been named the 2024 Kia WNBA Most Valuable Player, the WNBA announced today.

This marks the record-tying third Kia WNBA MVP Award for Wilson, who also earned the honor in 2020 and 2022. She is the fourth player in WNBA history to win three MVPs, joining Sheryl Swoopes (2000, 2002 and 2005), Lisa Leslie (2001, 2004 and 2006) and Lauren Jackson (2003, 2007 and 2010).

Wilson received all 67 first-place votes (670 points) from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, making her the first unanimous Kia WNBA MVP since the Houston Comets’ Cynthia Cooper in the league’s inaugural season of 1997.

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (467 points) finished in second place, followed by New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (295 points) in third place, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (130 points) in fourth place and Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (83 points) in fifth place. Players were awarded 10 points for a first-place vote, seven points for a second-place vote, five points for a third-place vote, three points for a fourth-place vote and one point for a fifth-place vote.

In her seventh WNBA season, Wilson averaged 26.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.58 blocked shots and 1.79 steals in 34.4 minutes in 38 games. She ranked first in the WNBA in both points and blocks, second in rebounds, fifth in steals and fourth in minutes, setting career highs in all five per-game categories. Wilson also finished seventh in the league in field goal percentage (51.8) and 17th in free throw percentage (84.4).

The 6-4 Wilson broke the WNBA single-season record for scoring average, which had been set by Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi in 2006 (25.3 ppg). Wilson also set single-season records with 1,021 total points and 451 total rebounds. She is the first player to lead the WNBA in total points, rebounds and blocks (98) in a season.

Behind Wilson, the two-time defending WNBA champion Aces (27-13) earned the fourth seed in the 2024 WNBA Playoffs presented by Google. Las Vegas will host the Seattle Storm in Game 1 of a first-round playoff series tonight at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN.

In the 2024 regular season, Wilson was named the Kia WNBA Western Conference Player of the Month four times (May, June, July and September) and the WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week six times (Weeks 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 12). A six-time WNBA All-Star, Wilson played for the USA Women’s National Team in the 2024 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game before leading the United States to the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, where she was honored as the MVP of the tournament.

Additional highlights of Wilson’s 2024 season include:

*Recorded the two highest-scoring games of the WNBA season, with 42 points against the Dallas Wings on Aug. 27 and 41 points against the Mercury on Sept. 1.

*Scored at least 20 points in 89.5% of her games (34 of 38), a WNBA single-season record.

*Grabbed 9.8 defensive rebounds per game, the highest single-season average in WNBA history.

*Posted the third-highest rebounding average in a WNBA season (11.87), behind No. 1 Angel Reese (13.1 rpg with the Chicago Sky in 2024) and No. 2 Sylvia Fowles (11.88 with the Minnesota Lynx in 2018).

*Finished with 24 points and a career-high 20 rebounds against the Storm on July 10 for the first 20-20 game of her career.

*Became the second player in WNBA history to have at least 25 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and five blocks in a game (vs. the Atlanta Dream on Aug. 30), joining Candace Parker (2008).

*Set WNBA single-season records for consecutive games with 20 or more points (15) and consecutive games with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds (eight).

*Became the Aces’ franchise leader in both total points and total rebounds.

*Led the WNBA in steals-per-turnover ratio (1.42 to 1) and had a career-low 1.3 turnovers per game.

*In August, Wilson won the 2024 Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award for her dedication and positive impact on the community. Dawn Staley was the head coach for all four of Wilson’s seasons at the University of South Carolina, where the two won a national championship together in the 2016-17 season and Wilson was a four-time All-America Team selection.

Wilson was selected by the Aces with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm. She led the franchise to its first two WNBA championships, in 2022 and 2023, earning the WNBA Finals MVP Award last season. Among her accolades, Wilson has been the Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year, the Kia WNBA Defensive Player of the Year twice and an All-WNBA Team selection four times.

In honor of being named the 2024 Kia WNBA Most Valuable Player, Wilson will receive $15,450 and a specially designed trophy by Tiffany & Co.

2024 NABOB Black Media Summit taking place in Washington D.C.

The 2024 NABOB Black Media Summit in Washington, D.C., is the premier event for Black media leaders, agencies, CMOs, advertisers, and content creators. The event takes place OCTOBER 9-11, 2024 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington D.C.

Attendees will elevate their business, network with innovators, and shape the future of Black media through collaboration and cutting-edge conversations. Don't miss this unparalleled opportunity to connect and grow within the industry.

This year's conference will showcase the 24th Annual Power of Urban Radio Forum and Awards Luncheon. This prestigious event will honor outstanding achievements in advertising and marketing to the Black consumer market, celebrating those who effectively utilize Black-owned media.

Learn more about the NABOB Black Media Summit here: https://nabob.org/nabobcon/

BET AND THE NATIONAL PAN-HELLENIC COUNCIL JOIN FORCES TO MOBILIZE BLACK VOTERS FOR THE 2024 ELECTION

BET and The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. (NPHC) are proud to announce the launch of the new BET 'We VOTE' Public Service Announcements (PSA) featuring all nine Black fraternities and sororities. These PSAs leverage the influence of the NPHC, affectionately known as "The Divine Nine," to drive awareness, encourage voter participation, and reinforce the importance of every vote in shaping our future.

Esteemed leaders representing the The National Pan-Hellenic Council of Presidents include:

• Dr. Willis L. Lonzer III – General President, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
• Danette Anthony Reed – International President and CEO, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
• Jimmy McMikle – Grand Polemarch, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
• Ricky Lawrence Lewis - Grand Basileus, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
• Elsie Cooke-Holmes – International President, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
• Hon. Chris V. Rey, J.D. – International President, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
• Dr. Stacie N.C. Grant – International President, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
• Marica Harris – International Grand Basileus, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
• Dr. Sean D. Housen, Sr. – International Grand Polaris, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.

"The Council of Presidents is committed to supporting this important initiative with BET," said Hon. Chris V. Rey, J.D., International President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated and Chair of the NPHC Council of Presidents. "The vote is the most powerful tool in democracy, and we look forward to using our collective voices to help drive strong voter engagement and turnout."  

"BET is proud to highlight the Divine Nine and collaborate to ensure voters get the critical information they need about the election, including exercising our right to vote. We, like the Divine Nine, are committed to elevating the well-being of our community. Voting is one such mechanism in which to do so", said Kimberly Paige, CMO and Co-Lead of the BET Social Impact efforts.

BET created the 'We VOTE' effort to exclaim that we Vote for Ourselves, for Togetherness, for Everyone. It is this unifying theme that embodies BET's steadfast commitment to empowering all Black voters to harness their collective power to drive meaningful change.

The Divine 9 PSA is one of many being unveiled today. BET is proud to highlight nine emerging young leaders sharing their voices on the importance of voting. The nine leaders include the following (in alphabetical order):

• Demetris Causer - Voting Rights Attorney, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Inc.
• Marley Dias - #1000BlackGirlBooks Campaign
• Jared Evans - Voting Rights Lawyer, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Inc.
• Myles Hollingsworth - Student, Howard University and President, NAACP NY Youth & College Division
• Arnold Walter Ludd, Jr. - CEO & Founder, Jiggabite Gloves Up, Guns Down
• Christian Nathaniel Matthew - National President, National Action Network, Youth & College Division
• Chelsea Miller - Co-Founder, Freedom March NYC
• Jerome Richardson - Ambassador, Hip Hop Caucus
• L. Joy Williams - President, NAACP – Brooklyn, NY and Host, #SundayCivics Podcast

"We aim to raise awareness of the issues at stake through our efforts to educate the Black community and encourage voters to create and take action on their voting plan, whether it's early voting or on election day," said Tiyale Hayes, EVP of Insights and Co-Lead of the BET Social Impact efforts.

Produced for BET by The House of JOY (a Black and woman-owned firm), these latest creative spots are a testament to BET's ongoing efforts to elevate and educate the Black community, and ignite unprecedented civic engagement, voter registration, and turnout among Black voters in this critically important election.

To download the videos for your social media, please use the links below:

• Divine 9 Compilation PSA
  • :30 (16x9) - https://vimeo.com/1010706294
  • :30 (1x1) – https://vimeo.com/1010706202
  • :30 (9x16) - https://vimeo.com/1010705991

• Young Leaders Compilation PSA
  • :60 (16x9) - https://vimeo.com/1009715117
  • :60 (1x1) - https://vimeo.com/1009715739
  • :60 (9x16) - https://vimeo.com/1009715444

To learn more, go to BET.com/vote.