NAACP, Voting Rights Groups Challenge Trump’s Recent Executive Order On Voting

A coalition of voting rights organizations, including NAACP, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to challenge President Trump's unlawful executive order on voting that attempts to seize the power to set voter registration rules from Congress and the states, and doing so in a way that would violate federal law and the Constitution if carried out by the Election Assistance Commission (EAC). 

Key provisions of Trump's order could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters, particularly voters of color, women voters, naturalized citizens, voters with disabilities, voters with low incomes, and first-time voters.

The Constitution specifies that Congress and the states can set the rules for our elections, not the President. On March 27, several of the groups also sent a letter to the EAC urging them not to take action in response to key provisions in the executive order, as doing so would violate federal law. 

The National League of Women Voters, NAACP, League of Women Voters of Arizona, League of Women Voters Education Fund, OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates, Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote, and Hispanic Federation, are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of D.C., Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law, the Legal Defense Fund, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC (Advancing Justice – AAJC). 

The groups are challenging the order's usurpation of powers, including its directive for the U.S. Election Assistance Commission to change the federal voter registration form to require burdensome submission of documents to prove citizenship, which many Americans do not have or cannot readily acquire. Under existing law, registrants already have to swear to their citizenship under penalty of perjury, and there is no evidence that non-citizens are registering to vote at significant rates.

The coalition released the following joint statement about the lawsuit, League of Women Voters et. al. v. Trump et. al.:

"The president has no constitutional or statutory authority to unilaterally dictate how elections are run. This executive order is a blatant violation of the separation of powers. Election rules are decided by Congress and the states, and any attempt by the executive branch to override their power violates the Constitution. This order, based on a persistent false and racialized narrative, could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters. It mirrors the SAVE Act, which would add unnecessary barriers to voter registration and silence the voices of American citizens. These unlawful attacks on voting rights are part of a broader effort to undermine our democracy. We have filed suit to stop this executive order and to keep it from interfering with eligible voters' participation in our elections."

"This so-called executive order is blatantly unconstitutional and designed to disenfranchise millions of lawful, eligible voters," said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of NAACP. "In America, Presidents do not control elections. Trump is clearly pushing the boundaries of executive power to see how much he can get away with. It's time for the public and all elected officials to speak up as loudly as they can before our country is stolen from its people. If we hand the president control over how elections are run in America, we no longer live in a democracy. This isn't just another executive order — it is a test to see if we allow the president to crown himself."

The link to the complaint is available here. To learn more about how the NAACP is fighting to protect the right to vote, visit our website. 

Mariah Cockshell Is Missing

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Gladstone Police Department says they’re looking for Mariah Cockshell, 26-year-old woman after she was last seen on March 22.

GPD says Mariah Cockshell was reported missing by her family and is possibly endangered. She was last seen around 3 a.m. in the area of 54th Street and Prospect Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri.

Cockshell stands 5’1″ tall and weighs around 150 pounds. She has black hair and hazel eyes. GPD says she was last seen wearing a pink sweatshirt and black scrub pants.

If you have any information on Cockshell’s whereabouts, contact GPD at 816-436-3550 or the TIPS hotline.

Kevin Howell Appointed Chancellor of North Carolina State University

Kevin Howell, chief external affairs officer at UNC Health and the UNC School of Medicine, has been named chancellor of North Carolina State University.

The appointment was announced by University of North Carolina President Peter Hans today following approval by the UNC Board of Governors. Howell succeeds Randy Woodson, who is retiring after 15 years of service as chancellor.

“Kevin Howell is a born leader with a long record of service to North Carolina, the UNC System and NC State University,” Hans said. “His deep relationships across the state have helped drive investment and growth. I am confident that he will strengthen NC State’s role as a frontier research university, keeping North Carolina competitive in the most important fields of our future.”

Howell will assume his duties on May 5; his salary will be $600,000.

Howell becomes NC State’s 15th chancellor and the third NC State alumnus to serve in the role.

“Kevin Howell is a leader with incredible connection- and relationship-building skills,” said Ed Weisiger, a member of the chancellor search committee and chair of the NC State Board of Trustees. “He is a trusted partner to those he leads and to those with whom he interacts and works. In short, Kevin simply makes organizations better and healthier by working in them. He is a great product from NC State who has shown his worth across time and in roles of ever-increasing responsibility. We are so pleased to have him return to NC State.”

As chief of external affairs for UNC Health and UNC School of Medicine, Howell leads the development and implementation of strategies shaping public policy and legislation for a health care system with 19 hospitals, more than 900 clinics, 3,000 physicians and more than 40,000 employees. He cultivates relationships with government officials and stakeholders to advance UNC Health initiatives, and directs philanthropy, institutional strategic branding, marketing, communications, and corporate and community affairs to ensure alignment with organizational goals.

Prior to his time with UNC Health, Howell served as NC State’s vice chancellor for external affairs, partnerships and economic development from 2018 to 2023. In that role, Howell managed units tasked with partnerships, economic development, the Small Business and Technology Development Center, state and local relations, and federal affairs. He led a strategic focus to build and manage relationships and economic partnerships to enhance local and global engagement to create new jobs and investments for the state of North Carolina.

Howell also served NC State as assistant to the chancellor for external affairs from 2006 to 2016. In that role, he directed the university’s legislative strategy and served as legislative liaison to state and local government agencies and elected leaders.

“We’re excited to welcome Kevin Howell back home to NC State,” said Ed Stack, chair of the chancellor search committee and vice chair of the NC State Board of Trustees. “Among an impressive group of candidates, he stood out as the strongest choice. Kevin truly exemplifies the university’s Think and Do spirit – especially in driving economic development and improving the lives of North Carolinians.”

In between stints at NC State, Howell served as senior vice president for external affairs with the University of North Carolina System. There, Howell led key external affairs priorities and initiatives to elevate the UNC System.

Before coming to NC State in 2006, Howell served as legislative liaison for two N.C. governors and worked for the N.C. Bar Association as director of governmental affairs.

Howell currently serves on the executive committee of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce as former board chair; the executive committee of myFutureNC, a non-profit that seeks to have 2 million North Carolinians hold an industry-valued credential or postsecondary degree by 2030; and the executive committee of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities’ Commission on Economic & Community Engagement.

Howell also serves on the board of directors for the North Carolina Symphony and the UNC Law School Foundation. He is a member of the advisory board for NC State’s Friday Institute for Educational Innovation.

A native of Shelby, N.C., Howell received his bachelor’s degree in political science from NC State in 1988 and served as student body president during his senior year. He earned his law degree from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and later served as a legal clerk on the N.C. Court of Appeals.

Howell and his wife, Aleta, have two adult children.

A 13-member search committee of NC State trustees, faculty, staff, students and alumni spent five months reviewing and interviewing candidates before Hans made his selection.

Howell will take the helm of North Carolina’s largest university, with about 39,000 students. Long admired for its strengths in engineering and agriculture, the university has emerged as a national leader in biotechnology, nanotechnology, proteomics, nonwoven textiles and other fields of study – such as food safety, biomedical research and artificial intelligence – that affect the health and livelihoods of people in North Carolina and across the globe. Its fields of study prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of life in the 21st century.

With its state-of-the-art labs and classrooms and its unique partnerships with government and industry, NC State’s Centennial Campus is the model for university research parks across the nation.

MARTIN LUTHER KING PEOPLE’S CONVENTION FOR JUSTICE AND RESISTANCE SET FOR APRIL 26TH IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY

The Martin Luther King People’s Convention for Justice And Resistance will take place Saturday, April 26, 2025, 8:30am to 4:00pm, at Essex County College, Smith Hall, 303 University Avenue in Newark, New Jersey.

The convention is sponsored by the People’s Organization For Progress (POP). It has been Endorsed by 65 organizations representing a cross section of the grassroots community.

“The purpose of the convention is to develop a people’s agenda and action for its implementation,” Lawrence Hamm, Chairman, People’s Organization For Progress stated.

“The effort to organize this convention grows out of our determination to resist all efforts, including those of the Trump administration, to erase the gains of the civil rights movement and the social progress of the past century,” Hamm said.

“There is a strong need to have a current blueprint of common issues, goals and solutions for community building. This convention can provide that framework, “ said Deborah Smith Gregory, NAACP Newark President, whose chapter has endorsed the march.

“During the first 100 days of the Trump presidency we have witnessed a direct attack on those who are the most vulnerable in our country. The people’s convention will help us find ways of working together to fight back against this onslaught,” Charles Hall, President, Local 108 Retail Wholesale Department Store Union UFCW stated, whose labor group has also endorsed the march.

The convention is open to the general public. Those who wish to attend are encouraged to register in advance. Registration for the convention is now open. There is no registration fee.

People can register for the convention online at Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-martin-luther-king-peoples-convention-for-justice-and-resistance-tickets-1292184000129?aff=oddtdtcreator.

Those who are unable to register online can call the People’s Organization For Progress at (973)801-0001 or send an email to info@njpop.org.

“The idea to have a convention grew out of our organizing effort for the Martin Luther King March Of Resistance which was held on January 18th and was endorsed by 308 organizations,” Hamm stated.

“Our planning for the march also included discussions about what we would do afterwards. That is when we collectively decided to have a convention,” he said.

“Just as we built a broad coalition for the march that included several hundred endorsing organizations we want to to the same for the convention,” he said.

“We definitely want to increase the number of endorsing groups. We would like to have many more. Organizations that would like to endorse should contact POP right away,” he said.

The 65 endorsing organizations include: Local 108 Retail Wholesale Department Store Union UFCW AFL-CIO, Newark Branch NAACP, Morris County Branch NAACP, New Jersey Black Issues Convention, International Black Women’s Congress, African Diaspora for Justice, New Jersey Poor People’s Campaign, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 21, South Ward Environmental Alliance, 350 NJ-Rockland, Greenfaith International, New Jersey Green Sustainable Group, December 12th Movement, Clinton Hill Seniors In Action, New Jersey Peace Action, Cease Fire Now NJ, Jewish Voice for Peace Northern New Jersey Chapter, SOMA Collective for Palestine, Pax Christi, Jersey City Non-Violence Coalition, Steven Institute Students for Justice in Palestine, Elombe Brath Coalition, Omega Psi Phi-Upsilon Chapter, Corey Lewis Teague, Hudson County Sierra Club, Bread Is Rising, Newark North Jersey Committee Of Black Churchmen, Hafiz Farid/Foremost Productions, Food & Water Watch, Marques-Aquil Lewis Civic Association, Black Lives Matter Elizabeth, National United Youth Council, Irvington NAACP, Make The Road New Jersey, New Brunswick Area Branch NAACP, Seton Hall University Martin Luther King Scholarship Association, Tom Paine Brigade, Jersey City Food Not Bombs, Hackensack Riverkeeper, HPAE Local 5089, Bethany Baptist Church, All Politics Are Local, National Black Political Convention, Man Village Men’s Support Group, Islay Walden Education Alliance, New Jersey Communities for Accountable Policing, New Jersey Chapter of the National Action Network, Jumpstart, Journey To Justice, Greater Newark Chapter of the National Action Network, Committee To Eliminate Media Offensive To African People, NAACP New Jersey State Conference, African- American Commission of Camden, Gregory Thomas Foundation, Grandmaster Khalil's Generation II Ippon Do School of Martial Arts, The Law And Policy Group, Mt Teman AME Church, MAPSO Freedom School, Good Neighbor Baptist Church, Newark Interfaith Alliance, The Radical Elders, The Muslim League of Voters of New Jersey, Philadelphia Black Radical Congress, and North Jersey Black Caucus for Social Justice.

For more information or to endorse the convention call 973 801-0001.

Dr. Ron K. Patterson named Murray State University President

The Murray State University Board of Regents Presidential Search Committee has announced Dr. Ron K. Patterson as Murray State University President. Currently Chadron State College President, Patterson will commence his role as the 15th President of Murray State on July 1, 2025. He will succeed President Dr. Bob Jackson, who will retire on June 30, 2025. The selection of Patterson follows an extensive process and national search.

Patterson serves as president of Chadron State College, one of three state college institutions within the Nebraska State College System and an institution with approximately 2,300 students and 600 full-time faculty and staff. In his role, Patterson launched and chaired the college’s new five-year strategic plan, established strategic enrollment partnerships, commenced new academic programs and partnerships, furthered external relationships with federal, state and local government leaders, and fostered an environment of success within the college’s Division II athletic programs. 

Prior to Chadron State College, Patterson served at the University of North Alabama. His administrative progression at the University of North Alabama included service as associate vice president for enrollment management, chief enrollment officer, and chief enrollment officer and special assistant to the president for diversity and inclusion with responsibility for both enrollment management, academic programs and centers, and diversity and inclusion. 

Prior to the University of North Alabama, Patterson served for 14 years as an administrator at Marietta College, University of Central Arkansas, University of Tennessee Health Science Center and Christian Brothers University in Memphis. He also spent four years as an assistant men’s basketball coach and head men’s golf coach at Tusculum College and Marietta College. 

With 25 years of higher education experience, Patterson has developed a collaborative, servant leader approach who values accessibility and affordability, education and innovation.

Patterson earned a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration and Leadership at Creighton University, an Education Specialist degree with a concentration in Community College Administration at Arkansas State University, a Master of Arts at Marietta College, a Bachelor of Science at the University of Tennessee – Southern and an Associate of Arts at Northeast Mississippi Community College. He recently completed professional development offered by the American Academic Leadership Institute and Penn State University’s Academic Leadership Academy for Academic Administration.

Patterson hails from Corinth, Mississippi. He and his wife, Jenny, have two children, Olivia and Braylon.

“I am truly humbled and honored to be selected as President of Murray State University,” Patterson said. “I would like to thank the Presidential Search Committee, Board of Regents, campus community and alumni for entrusting me to lead this historic university. 

“My family and I are honored and privileged to join the excellent students, faculty, staff and city of Murray to continue the great momentum of Dr. Bob Jackson and the leadership team, capital improvement projects, and rich tradition of Murray State University in its second century.”

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Ron K. Patterson as the 15th President of Murray State University,” Murray State Board of Regents Chair Leon Owens said. “Dr. Patterson brings considerable experience in numerous areas of higher education, all of which are necessary, to continue the upward trajectory of our institution. Dr. Patterson is a servant leader and a proven collaborator who has a commitment toward excellence. We welcome Dr. Patterson, along with his wife Jenny and children Olivia and Braylon to our campus and broader community.

“I am grateful to our Board of Regents Presidential Search Committee as well as Academic Search for their hard work and assistance during the search process.

“I would like to also thank Dr. Jackson for his continued wonderful leadership, excellence and many years of service to Murray State as his retirement approaches on June 30, 2025.”

“I am excited to welcome Dr. Ron K. Patterson, his wife Jenny and children Olivia and Braylon, to Murray State University, and am confident that the future of Murray State is in excellent hands with Dr. Patterson,” Murray State President Dr. Bob Jackson said. “As I’ve said many times, Murray State University is truly a special place. Dr. Patterson’s experience, vision and passion for higher education will continue to advance this special place that is shared by our many students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters.”