Mildred Crump a Newark political pioneer and icon has died

Mildred Crump, a longtime Newark councilwoman and pioneer for Black women in city politics, has died at age 86.

Crump became the first Black woman elected to Newark City Council in 1994 and the first Black woman named council president in 2006. She served as a Councilwoman from 1994-1998, and again from 2006-2021.

Crump became the first Black braille teacher in Detroit, her hometown, before relocating to the Garden State. She was also a founding member of the New Jersey Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., the National Political Congress for Black Women of Newark, and the Global Women’s Leadership Collaborative of New Jersey, dedicated to women’s issues in Africa.

[SOURCE: NJ.COM]

Thomas Brown named interim head coach of the Chicago Bears

The Bears announced Friday that Matt Eberflus has been relieved of his duties as head coach. Thomas Brown has been elevated to interim head coach.

"This morning, after meeting with [chairman] George [H. McCaskey] and [President and CEO] Kevin [Warren], we informed Matt of our decision to move in a different direction with the leadership of our football team and the head-coaching position," said Bears general manager Ryan Poles. "I thank Matt for his hard work, professionalism and dedication to our organization. We extend our gratitude for his commitment to the Chicago Bears and wish him and his family the best moving forward."

"I support Ryan and the decision that was made this morning. We understand how imperative the head-coaching role is for building and maintaining a championship-caliber team, leading our players and our organization," said Warren. "Our fans have stood by us and persevered through every challenge, and they deserve better results. Our organizational and operational structure is strong, focused, aligned and energized for the future."

Brown has led the Bears offense for each of the last three weeks, a unit that has totaled a league-high 22 third-down conversions and has scored 46 second-half points, third most in the NFL, since Week 11. Brown previously spent three seasons on the staff of the Los Angeles Rams (2020-22), serving in the role of assistant head coach over his final two seasons. In his first season as assistant head coach/running backs (2021), Brown helped lead a Rams unit that collected an NFC West Division title and ended the season with a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.

Brown joined the Bears in 2024 as offensive passing game coordinator, one season removed from serving as offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers (2023), where the 14-year coaching veteran contributed to offensive play-calling efforts. Brown spent the first nine seasons of his coaching tenure at the collegiate level, which included three seasons as offensive coordinator at Miami (Fla.), leading the Hurricanes offense from 2016-18.

The Decatur, Ga., native played collegiately at Georgia, where he finished his career as the fifth-leading rusher in program history, totaling 2,646 career rushing yards, along with 26 total touchdowns.

Yvonne L. Mays makes history as first Black woman to lead NJ National Guard

Colonel Yvonne L. Mays, the Adjutant General of New Jersey was promoted to Brigadier General and is now the first Black woman to lead the NJ National Gaurd. watch the story below.

https://www.africanamericanreports.com/2024/11/yvonne-l-mays-makes-history-as-first.html

Rep. Jahana Hayes receives Thanksgiving bomb threat

An investigation is underway after a reported bomb threat at Representative Jahana Hayes' house on Thanksgiving.

Hayes says she was notified by Wolcott Police Department that they received a threatening email about a pipe bomb being placed in the mailbox of her home around 7:45 a.m.

According to Hayes, no bomb or explosive materials were found.

"I thank law enforcement for their swift attention to this matter, their actions demonstrate there is no place in our country for political violence," Hayes said in a statement.

[SOURCE: NBCCONNECTICUT]

LDF Policy Director Responds to Markup of Dismantle DEI Act

Demetria McCain, Director of Policy at the Legal Defense Fund, shares the following statement in response to the markup of the Dismantle DEI Act:

“The markup of the Dismantle DEI Act is a window into the deceptive tactics and harmful policies some congressional members will deploy next year and beyond. While supporters of this bill argue that they are working toward a colorblind society, the bill is actually a thinly-veiled attempt to turn the federal government into an engine of social and economic segregation–one that will leave Black communities and other communities of color, women, LGBTQ+ communities, and other marginalized and underrepresented groups on the sidelines looking in.”

“True prosperity in America will only come if everyone has a seat at the table. It will not come from denying veterans and people with disabilities the resources needed to start a business or by keeping people in rural communities from accessing reliable internet services. And it surely will not come from keeping talented Black students and professionals out of schools and workplaces. The Dismantle DEI Act would prevent the accurate teaching of history, destroy paid internships and resource groups for workers and students from communities of color, threaten equal pay for women, and weaken the ability of our federal workforce to serve everyone in our increasingly multi-racial society. These are not conditions that will allow the country to compete globally.”

“It’s clear that the incoming administration is ready to roll back civil rights on day one. This distortion of antidiscrimination laws through misinformed bills like the Dismantle DEIA Act makes this evident. It’s going to take all of us to ward off the intensified attacks coming our way in the next few years. We stand ready.”