The idea of erecting a museum that would highlight the contributions of African Americans first received public attention more than a century ago, after Black veterans of the Civil War proposed the idea. But the real push occurred when Georgia Congressman John Lewis took up the mantle, securing the support of several of his colleagues. […]
National
A space for national news pertaining to African Americans
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Chicagoans push for community control of police
Organizers say only an elected civilian council can hold cops accountable The decades-long struggle for democratic, community control of police in Chicago turned a corner on July 20 when the city council’s Committee on Public Safety accepted legislation that would create a Civilian Police Accountability Council (CPAC). CPAC would have authority over policing standards and […]
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WNBA president encourages players to continue speaking out
WNBA President Lisa Borders said she is encouraging players to continue making their voices heard on current issues. Last month Borders fined New York, Indiana and Phoenix players for violating league uniform rules after they wore black T-shirts in protest of recent police shootings, as well as the shooting of Dallas police officers. But the first-year league […]
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Esteemed journalist and columnist dies at 69
Pioneering Black political and civil rights journalist George E. Curry, the reputed dean of Black press columnists because of his riveting weekly commentary in Black newspapers across the country, died suddenly of heart failure on Saturday, August 20. He was 69. Curry began his journalism career at Sports Illustrated, the St. Louis Post Dispatch, and […]
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Inherent bias must be rooted out
“Inherent bias” is defined as “the attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner” by the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at Ohio State University. Many feel that Philando Castile was the victim of inherent bias when he was shot and killed on July 6 […]
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VIDEO | President Obama says no one “more qualified” than Clinton
President Obama gave an inspirational address at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pa, July 27, effectively passing the baton to Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Walking out to U2’s “City of Blinding Lights,” as he did throughout his many campaign stops, the president struck a hopeful note and made a strong case for Clinton stating, “I can say with confidence […]
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VIDEO | First Lady Michelle Obama aims high — gives rousing speech at DNC
First Lady Michelle Obama helped kick off the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pa. Monday, July 25, with a rousing speech that brought the Democratic faithful to their feet. The First Lady gave her full and heartfelt support of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and took aim at negative politics by relaying to the audience the lessons she […]
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VIDEO| President Obama aims to unite a divided nation at Dallas memorial
Today, President Obama addressed the families of the fallen and the Dallas community at an interfaith memorial service to honor the five police officers who died in the line of duty last Thursday, July 7. Earlier in the day, the president placed a phone call to Philando Castile’s mom, Valerie Castile, and informed her that he would mention her son […]
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President Obama calls Dallas shootings “vicious, calculated, despicable”
While in Warsaw, Poland for the NATO Summit, President Obama offered remarks regarding the shooting of law enforcement officers in Dallas, TX. At this point, this is what we know: On the night of July 7, the police officers in downtown Dallas were targeted during a peaceful protest against recent police shootings in Louisiana and Minnesota. […]
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Black contractors: Democrats take us for granted
While Democrats scramble to secure the African American community’s support post-Obama, Black contractors complain that they are not getting their fair share of the party’s campaign spending. Among $514 million that Democrats spent on consultants during the 2010 and 2012 election cycles, only $8.7 million (just 1.7 percent) went to minorities, according to a June […]
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Muhammad Ali: A send-off fit for a king
“America must never forget that when a cop and an inner city kid talk to each other, miracles can happen,” words spoken by Lonnie Ali at the public memorial service for her husband, Muhammad Ali. The Greatness of Ali began after he had a talk with retired Louisville Police Officer Joe Martin who taught him […]
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Watch President Obama’s remarks about mass shooting in Orlando
This morning President Obama spoke to the press about the tragic mass shooting that took place early Sunday morning, June 11, in Orlando, Florida. An excerpt of the President’s remarks appears below: “First of all, our hearts go out to the families of those who have been killed. Our prayers go to those who have been wounded. […]
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Where did the Black banks go?
America has half as many black-owned banks as existed 15 years ago. “People assume [black bankers] don’t know what they are doing,” said Alden McDonald, CEO of New Orleans-based Liberty Bank and Trust. “Put yourself in these shoes: We are located in communities in which all of the large banks have moved out of because […]
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Muhammad Ali “The Greatest” made his final journey home
Hearts were heavy in many of the citizens of Louisville, KY when it was announced that their hometown hero, Boxing Great Muhammad Ali had died at the age of 74 in a Phoenix, AZ hospital Friday, June 3, 2016 from complications relating to Parkinson’s disease, bringing to a close his most challenging fight. Although Ali […]
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World mourns loss of great champion
Muhammad Ali dies at 74 Once scorned by many Americans, Muhammad Ali later became a worldwide hero. The “People’s Champion” lost his nearly two decades battle with Parkinson’s disease June 3 in an Arizona hospital at age 74. Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. on January 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, got into boxing in […]
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Brooklyn Park council hopeful runs on safety, family, jobs
“My father, at an early age, instilled in us a sense of community, pride and leadership.” These are the words of James Jackson, candidate for the Brooklyn Park City Council representing the Central District. “So [it’s about] making your mark as opposed to just being there. I wanted to be a part of the solution […]
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Freddie Bell takes the lead at KMOJ
His focus is developing new talent in broadcasting Change is afoot at radio station KMOJ, Twin Cities “Voice of the Community.” Freddie Bell, long a household name among avid listeners, in addition to entertaining on the Morning Show with Freddie Bell & Chantel SinGs audiences, now doubles in a business capacity as general manager. Reached […]
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Obama urges Howard graduates to continue needed change
Under overcast sky and the constant threat of rain, Obama told the graduates and their families that there were no Black CEOs of Fortune 500 companies and few Black judges when he received a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University in 1983.
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A legacy reborn: “Madam C.J. Walker Beauty Culture” line links to the past
The legend and legacy of hair-care pioneer Madam C.J. Walker are gaining new life for a new generation.
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Thousands of rich Americans live in taxpayer-subsidized public housing
Tens of thousands of high-income Americans live in low-income housing, according to a federal audit.