Union County NJ to present ‘African Americans in Labor’ discussion

On Feb. 26 at noon, Union County will host a free presentation titled “African Americans in Labor” in celebration of Black History Month. The event will feature Petal Robertson, Executive Secretary of the New Jersey Education Association, as the speaker.

The presentation will take place in the Victor M. Richel Student Commons at the Cranford Campus of Union College of Union County, located at 1033 Springfield Ave. To register for the event, click here.

Attendees can register for up to four free tickets online. For any questions or additional information, interested individuals can contact the organizers via email at culturalinfo@ucnj.org.

National Civil Rights Museum hosts virtual book talk with award-winning historian Crystal R. Sanders during Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month, the National Civil Rights Museum is proud to present a virtual book talk featuring award-winning historian Crystal R. Sanders, author of A Forgotten Migration: Black Southerners, Segregation Scholarships, and the Debt Owed to Public HBCUs. The event, scheduled for February 13 at 6:00 pm Central, will provide a powerful discussion on the overlooked history of segregation scholarships and their lasting impact on Black higher education.

Through A Forgotten Migration, Sanders sheds light on the little-known story of how, under the pre–Brown v. Board of Education era, Southern states circumvented integrating graduate programs by paying Black students to pursue higher education out of state. This practice not only imposed financial and emotional hardships on students but also perpetuated the systemic underfunding of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Sanders' research highlights the resilience of these students and the broader consequences of educational segregation.

This marks Sanders' second appearance in the museum’s Book Talk Series, following her 2017 discussion of A Chance for Change: Head Start and Mississippi's Black Freedom Struggle. The museum continues to foster important conversations that connect historical struggles with contemporary issues in education and civil rights.

“We are thrilled to host Dr. Sanders once again and bring attention to this crucial aspect of American history,” said Dr. Russ Wigginton, President of the National Civil Rights Museum. “Her work continues to shed light on the enduring legacy of segregation and the long fight for educational equity.”

Crystal R. Sanders, an Associate Professor of African American Studies at Emory University, is a leading historian specializing in African American history, Black women’s history, and the history of Black education. Her work has been widely recognized with numerous awards and fellowships, and her scholarship continues to shape discussions on racial equity in education.

The online event is free and open to the public. Participating educators from Memphis Shelby County Schools (MSCS) who attend the entire book talk will receive professional development hours in PLZ for the completed book talk.

Registration is required to receive a link, and participants can sign up or receive more information at civilrightsmuseum.org.

AFL-CIO President Responds to Trump's Illegal Firing of NLRB Member Gwynne Wilcox

In response to news of President Trump’s firing of National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) member Gwynne Wilcox and NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler issued the following statement:

President Trump’s firing of NLRB member Gwynne Wilcox, the first Black woman to serve on the board, is illegal and will have immediate consequences for working people. By leaving only two board members in their posts, the President has effectively shut down the National Labor Relations Board’s operations, leaving the workers it defends on their own in the face of union-busting and retaliation. Alongside the firing of NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo, these moves will make it easier for bosses to violate the law and trample on workers’ legal rights on the job and fundamental freedom to organize. Member Wilcox has already indicated she will challenge her firing, and we fully expect she will succeed in the courts and be restored to her position so she can continue to be a critical pro-worker voice on the NLRB.

Jerry Dickinson named dean of University of Pittsburgh School of Law

After a comprehensive national search, Professor and Vice Dean Jerry Dickinson has been named the new dean of the School of Law effective Jan. 15, 2025.

A Pittsburgh native, Jerry has built a national, international, and local reputation as a constitutional law scholar and civil rights lawyer. He has extensive litigation and transactional pro bono experience in civil rights and civil liberties.

In 2017, Jerry joined the Pitt Law faculty and was then appointed as Vice Dean in March 2023. His teaching and scholarship specialize in constitutional law, civil rights and civil liberties, judicial federalism, property, law and democracy, and race and the law. He has been published in the nation’s top law reviews and cited by U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Third and Sixth Circuits, amicus briefs filed by Members of Congress in federal courts, and in national and international news outlets.

Before joining the Pitt Law faculty, Jerry practiced at Reed Smith LLP in Pittsburgh, where he founded and coordinated the Housing Rights Project, a pro bono initiative advocating for indigent tenants in eviction proceedings in Allegheny County. He also served as a law clerk for Theodore A. McKee, former Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Philadelphia.

Jerry is also a former Fulbright Scholar to Johannesburg, South Africa, where he studied comparative constitutional law and housing. There he worked as a human rights activist, representing squatters in eviction proceedings.

Jerry holds a JD from Fordham University, an LLM from the University of the Witwatersrand School of Law in Johannesburg, South Africa, and an AB in political science and sociology from the College of the Holy Cross.

National Alliance for Black Business (NABB) Secures Historic USPTO Federal Trademarks

The National Alliance for Black Business (NABB)®, co-founded by the National Business League (NBL)®, National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC)®, and The World Conference of Mayors (WCM)®, proudly announces the official registration of two groundbreaking trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO): National Alliance for Black Business (U.S. Trademark Registration No. 7616333) and NABB National Alliance for Black Business (U.S. Trademark Registration No. 7606600). These trademarks represent a monumental step in institutionalizing Black economic empowerment and creating a unified platform to advocate for Black businesses globally.

Historical Context and Legacy:

This milestone is a testament to over a century of advocacy for Black economic independence, tracing back to Booker T. Washington's founding of the National Business League in 1900. His vision of self-reliance and economic sovereignty for Black Americans is at the heart of NABB's mission to unify and empower Black businesses in today's global economic landscape.

Key Milestones and Leadership Insights:

• Trademark Achievement: The trademarks not only secure legal protections but also symbolize a commitment to a unified Black business narrative.
• Leadership Insights:
• Dr. Ken L. Harris, NBL President and NABB Co-Founder: "This legal victory is emblematic of our dedication to redefining Black economic empowerment, leveraging historical foundations for future prosperity."
• Honorable Johnny Ford, WCM Founder: "These trademarks are a pivot in our global economic strategy, showcasing the strength of unity in advancing Black business interests."
• Charles H. DeBow III, NBCC President and CEO: "The trademarks affirm our resolve to ensure Black businesses are recognized and integrated into the broader economic system, fostering accountability across sectors."

Past 2024 Accomplishments Leading to the Trademark Approval:

• Formation of NABB (2022): A collaborative initiative uniting the NBL, NBCC, and WCM and 100+ to amplify Black economic equity.
• NABB Hosted the NBL's 124th National Black Business Conference (2024): A landmark event attended by more than 3,000 participants and delegations from 32 Pan-African countries, with President Joseph Boakai of Liberia as a keynote speaker.
• USAID/NABB Partnership (2024): A historic MOU aimed at strengthening trade ties between Black businesses in the U.S. and the Pan-African diaspora.
• NBL/NABB Black Supplier Development Program (2024): Generated over $150 million in contracts, demonstrating the success of intentional economic inclusion strategies.
• USAID/NABB Caribbean Trade Mission (2024): Launched initiatives to expand trade and commerce between Black American businesses and Caribbean nations.

The Road Ahead:

NABB will continue its momentum with the upcoming launch of the Black Business Enterprise (BBE) Certification and Scorecard Program, scheduled for the NBL's 125th Quasquicentennial National Black Business Conference in Atlanta in August 2025. This program will further solidify conference host NABB's role in promoting economic sovereignty and equitable resource distribution for Black businesses worldwide.

About the Co-Founders:

• NABB: A nonprofit federation of Black business and professional organizations dedicated to Black business advocacy, representing interests across the U.S. and the Pan-African diaspora. Visit www.nationalallianceforblackbusiness.com.
• NBL: The oldest Black business trade association, founded by Booker T. Washington, advocating for economic equity since 1900 and owner of NABB. Visit www.nationalbusinessleague.org.
• NBCC: A leading advocate for Black economic empowerment since 1993, with extensive chapter networks across the U.S. and globally. Visit www.nationalbcc.org.
• WCM: Founded by Honorable Johnny Ford, WCM facilitates global mayoral collaboration for economic and cultural development. Visit www.worldconferenceofmayors.org.