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California NAACP Launches Employee Discrimination Hotline

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California NAACP Launches Employee Discrimination Hotline

By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media

Rick L. Callender, President of the California/Hawaii Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (CAL/HI NAACP), has announced that the organization is offering free legal advice and consultations to public and private sector employees in California who have been targets of racial harassment and discrimination in the workplace.

“It is a legal redress clinic for folks who have contacted our branch and believe they have been discriminated against because of the color of their skin or harassed because of the color of their skins,” Callender told California Black Media (CBM).

“We are providing legal service for our people because sometimes they try to get an attorney to listen to them, but the attorney will tell them they are busy. What we have is two (legal) firms that have contracted with us to allow people to come and get free advice,” he continued.

Local NAACP branches across California will have the authority to determine if a complaint is appropriate for the legal redress consultations after affected employees submit a Legal Redress Complaint Form.

However, the CAL/HI NAACP points out that completing the form does not constitute filing an official complaint with a legal authority.

According to the California Department of Industrial Relations, workplace discrimination complaints are based on race, color, ancestry, religion, age (40 and over), disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, marital status, military and veteran status, or national origin (including language restrictions).

The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) established the Discrimination Complaint Tracking System (DCTS), which enables the collection of data on complaints regarding discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and denial of reasonable accommodation in state agencies, according to its “2020 Annual Report of Discrimination Complaint Activity in California State Civil Service.”

The 27-page report stated that the five highest statewide categories of complaints in 2020 were Race, Retaliation, Disability, Sexual Harassment, and Sex/Gender.

According to the report, the categories ranked as follows: Sexual Harassment (44%), Race (23%), Sex/Gender (16%), Disability (9%), and Sexual Orientation (7%).

On May 4, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a joint investigation into allegations of employment discrimination and a hostile work environment at the National Football League (NFL).

The NFL has offices in New York and California with more than 1,000 employees. If discrimination and harassment are taking place at these workplaces it should not be tolerated whether the complaint is lodged with the NAACP or the California Department of Justice, Bonta stated.

“California will not tolerate any form of discrimination,” Bonta stated. “We have serious concerns about the NFL’s role in creating an extremely hostile and detrimental work environment. No company is too big or popular to avoid being held responsible for their actions.”

California employees have the right to speak to representatives of the California Labor Commissioner’s Office or any other government or law enforcement agency about any issues affecting their working conditions in California.

For those seeking assistance for workplace discrimination and harassment, the NAACP offers the first step in the process of filing a claim that could eventually become a case against the accused violator or violators.

The free, legal redress advice and consultation offered by CAL/HI NAACP is funded through the Stop the Hate (STH) Program. The grant – administered by California Department of Social Services – comprises three components: Legal Redress, Youth Development, and Working with Ethnic Media.

The program awards funding to qualified nonprofit organizations to provide support and services to victims and survivors of hate incidents and hate crimes and their families and facilitate hate incident or hate crime prevention measures.

Funded support includes direct services for victims and survivors of hate incidents and hate crimes and their families, including mental and complementary health services; wellness and community healing; legal services; navigation, case management, and referrals.

Founded Feb. 12. 1909, the NAACP was formed in response to the horrific practice of lynching and the 1908 race riot in Springfield, Illinois. It is the nation’s oldest, largest and most widely recognized grassroots-based civil rights organization.

The NAACP has more than 500,000 members and supporters throughout the United States, serving as premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, campaigning for equal opportunity and conducting voter mobilization.

The ability to have a program that intends to seek legal redress for workplace discrimination, retaliation, and harassment is an effective tool “to protect employees’ rights,” Callender said.

“We first received ‘Stop the Hate’ funding for the Legal Redress program in January 2023,” Callender told CBM. “This is a necessary program, and we are looking forward to receiving more funding for legal redress in three more years.”

This California Black Media report was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.

In Backlash over their Expulsions, 2 Tennessee Democratic Lawmakers Raised $2M Combined

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In Backlash over their Expulsions, 2 Tennessee Democratic Lawmakers Raised $2M Combined

By JONATHAN MATTISE, Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee state Reps. Justin Pearson and Justin Jones have raised more than $2 million combined through about 70,400 campaign donations after Republican lawmakers abruptly expelled the Democrats this spring for their gun control protest on the House floor.

The vast majority of those small donations came over just a few days when the two had been kicked out, but not yet reinstated. If Republicans kept the two young Black House members in office, they would not have been allowed to fundraise as sitting lawmakers while a legislative session was ongoing.

Instead, each of the two lawmakers saw a flood of campaign cash beyond the norm for even Republican legislative leaders to raise, let alone two freshman Democrats who are in the superminority.

Campaign finance reports that were due by the end of Monday show how much Democrats capitalized on the national attention. Jones and Pearson were expelled over a breach of decorum rules for their protest calling for the GOP to pass gun control measures after the March 27 deadly shooting at a Christian school in Nashville. Their white colleague who joined them in protest, Rep. Gloria Johnson, was spared by a single vote.

Jones, from Nashville, brought in almost $959,000 from April 6, the date of the expulsions, to his reinstatement on April 10 by local Nashville officials. In total, he raised nearly $1.1 million from early April through June.

Pearson, from Memphis, raised more than $857,000 from his expulsion until April 13, when he was sworn back into the House and returned to the floor the day after the Shelby County Commission voted to reinstate him. Pearson’s total fundraising topped $971,000 from April through June. His campaign previously provided The Associated Press with preliminary fundraising totals.

Johnson remained in office, so the Knoxville lawmaker was still banned from fundraising while Jones and Pearson were receiving tens of thousands of donations. Johnson raised $27,000 from late April through June.

GOP leaders said the expulsion actions — used only a handful times since the Civil War — were necessary to avoid setting a precedent that lawmakers’ disruptions of House proceedings through protest would be tolerated. They have denied that race was considered in the moves, and some have cited Johnson’s points during the expulsion debate that her role in the protest was lesser — she didn’t speak into the megaphone, for example.

Pearson, Jones and Johnson have hit the national TV news circuit, visited President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House and made appearances outside Tennessee.

Among the biggest high-profile supporters has been Democratic U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut. Murphy tweeted a link to a fundraising page in April, and his team said he helped raise more than $605,000 to split between Pearson and Jones.

Tennessee Democrats have been relegated to the superminority in both legislative chambers for years, limiting their recourse mainly to complaining when Republicans want to halt debates quickly, or waive other House rules. Pearson and other Democrats hope the fundraising wave can help them cut into that margin. In recent years, there have been very few competitive legislative districts.

Pearson and Jones first face Aug. 3 special elections to keep their seats.

More than 15 Republican lawmakers have funneled cash to Jones’ Republican opponent, Laura Nelson, in the Democratic-leaning district. Nelson has raised more than $34,000 for the race.

Pearson, meanwhile, doesn’t have a Republican opponent next month. He faces independent Jeff Johnston, who has raised shy of $400 for the contest.

Tupac Shakur’s long-unsolved killing again under spotlight as Las Vegas police conduct search

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Tupac Shakur’s long-unsolved killing again under spotlight as Las Vegas police conduct search

By Rio Yamat, Jonathan Landrum Jr. and Maria Sherman, Associated Press

Las Vegas police confirmed Tuesday that they served a search warrant this week in connection with the long-unsolved killing of Tupac Shakur, propelling the case back into the spotlight nearly 30 years after his death.

Shakur, one of the most prolific figures in hip-hop, was gunned down the night of Sept. 7, 1996, in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas. He was 25.

No arrests have ever been made. Yet attention on the case, which has seen its share of conspiracy theories, has endured for decades.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement that the search was conducted Monday in the nearby city of Henderson, but the agency did not say whether a suspect has been identified. It’s also unclear what they were looking for and where they were looking.

Citing the ongoing investigation, department spokesperson Aden OcampoGomez said in a brief phone call that he couldn’t provide more details on the latest development in the case.

Nevada does not have a time limit for prosecuting homicide cases.

Shakur was shot while sitting inside a black BMW with Marion “Suge” Knight, head of Death Row Records. Police have said the two were waiting at a red light near the Las Vegas Strip when a white Cadillac pulled up next to them and gunfire erupted. Shot multiple times, Shakur was rushed to a hospital, where he died six days later.

Las Vegas police have said in the past that the investigation quickly stalled in part because witnesses refused to cooperate.

Shakur’s death came amid his feud with rap rival the Notorious B.I.G., who was fatally shot six months later. At the time, both rappers were in the middle of the infamous East Coast-West Coast rivalry, which primarily defined the hip-hop scene during the mid-1990s. The feud was ignited after Shakur was seriously wounded in another shooting during a robbery in the lobby of a midtown Manhattan hotel.

Shakur openly accused B.I.G. and Sean “Diddy” Combs of having prior knowledge of the shooting, which both vehemently denied. It sparked enough of a feud that created a serious divide within the hip-hop community and fans.

The New York-born Shakur represented the West Coast after he signed with Los Angeles-based Death Row Records. He often traded verbal jabs in the media and through songs. B.I.G. and Combs hailed from the East Coast while representing New York City-based Bad Boy Records.

Largely considered one of the most influential and versatile rappers of all time, the six-time Grammy Award -nominated Shakur has had five No. 1 albums: 1995’s “Me Against the World,” 1996’s “All Eyez on Me,” and three posthumous releases: 1996’s “The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory,” which was recorded under the name Makaveli, as well as 2001’s “Until the End of Time” and 2004’s “Loyal to the Game.”

His professional music career only lasted five years, but Shakur secured 21 Billboard Hot 100s, including top 10 hits “Dear Mama” and “Old School” in 1995, and his best-known track, 1996’s “How Do U Want It/California Love” featuring K-Ci and JoJo. The latter spent two weeks at the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 from his final studio album and Death Row Records debut, “All Eyez on Me.”

According to entertainment data company Luminate, Shakur has sold 33 million albums, 41 million when including track sale and streaming equivalents. The rapper’s on-demand video and audio streams total 10.1 billion.

In 2017, Shakur was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame by Snoop Dogg. In June of this year, the rapper received a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He’s also had some museum exhibits that paid homage to his life, including “Tupac Shakur. Wake Me When I’m Free,” which opened in 2021.

Baltimore Squeegee Worker on Trial for Murder Acted in Self-Defense in Motorist’s Death, Lawyer says

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Baltimore Squeegee Worker on Trial for Murder Acted in Self-Defense in Motorist’s Death, Lawyer says

By LEA SKENE, Associated Press

BALTIMORE (AP) — A Baltimore teenager acted in self-defense when he allegedly shot and killed a baseball bat-wielding driver who approached youths washing windshields at a busy downtown intersection last summer, attorneys for the teen argued as his murder trial got underway Tuesday.

The high-profile tragedy reignited longstanding debate about Baltimore’s squeegee workers, mostly Black youths from disadvantaged backgrounds looking to make fast cash. City leaders have since banned the practice at certain high-traffic intersections and stepped up efforts to connect squeegee workers with above-board job opportunities.

“The state would have you believe this case is about squeegee boys,” defense attorney J. Wyndal Gordon told jurors in his opening statement. “This case is about road rage.”

Timothy Reynolds, 48, died from gunshot wounds after the July 2022 confrontation in evening rush hour near Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. An engineer and father of three, he grew up in the Baltimore area and was an avid fan of the city’s major league sports teams.

Defense attorneys argued Reynolds was the aggressor, his anger fueled by a longstanding irritation with squeegee workers whose presence at downtown intersections dates back decades.

“Mr. Reynolds’ personal views triggered him, and it led to an unprovoked attack on children,” Gordon said. “He took the law into his own hands and it ended poorly for him.”

But prosecutors gave jurors a different narrative of the moments preceding Reynolds’ death.

“He was out-maneuvered and he was gunned down,” prosecutor Cynthia Banks said, counting off the five gunshots that wounded him, including three to his back. “You cannot overlook the fact that Mr. Reynolds was shot dead.”

In turn, prosecutors told the jury that something got under Reynolds’ skin that afternoon and elicited a strong reaction. “The fact is he was upset, he was mad, he was human,” Banks said.

It’s not clear exactly what caused Reynolds to confront the squeegee workers he encountered. But he drove through the intersection and parked his car haphazardly, grabbed a metal baseball bat from the trunk and marched across several lanes of traffic toward the group, according to court testimony.

His mother was among several relatives who sat through Tuesday’s proceedings, her face twisting with grief during testimony about the minute details of the shooting.

The defendant, who faces first-degree murder and other charges, turned 15 the day after the shooting. He’s being tried in adult court, but The Associated Press is withholding his name because he’s a minor.

His attorneys repeatedly emphasized the difference in size between the defendant and Reynolds, who was 6 foot 3 (1.9 meters) tall and over 300 pounds (135 kilograms).

“You know who the adult was? Mr. Reynolds,” Gordon said, arguing Reynolds wasn’t acting his age.

One of the witnesses who testified Tuesday was a UPS driver who happened to pass through the intersection when the confrontation occurred. He said Reynolds swung the bat toward one squeegee worker moments before another opened fire. He said he couldn’t tell whether Reynolds struck anyone with the bat and couldn’t hear any words exchanged.

No witnesses positively identified the defendant as the shooter, saying they couldn’t be sure about his appearance because he was wearing a facemask. Multiple witnesses said they thought the shooter was wearing a pink shirt at the time.

Police later found a backpack nearby that contained a loaded handgun.

Another witness testified she was sitting in her car outside a nearby apartment building that evening when she saw a young man take off a pink shirt and don a mask that covered most of his face. She also said she couldn’t positively identify the defendant.

The teen appeared in court Tuesday wearing a gray suit, his shackles clanking loudly as he entered the room. His attorneys acknowledged he looked visibly older than when he was arrested last summer: taller and broader with facial hair beginning to come in.

“Some people would have you believe his name is squeegee worker, but he has a real name. He’s a real human being,” Gordon told the jury, saying his client dreamed of becoming an engineer or lawyer someday.

The attorney’s comments alluded to the heated debate around squeegee work that has long divided Baltimoreans. To some, the windshield washers are hard-working entrepreneurs facing some of Baltimore’s most deep-seated social challenges, including poverty, racism and disinvestment in communities of color; others consider them a nuisance and public safety hazard.

Since the city launched a campaign to address squeegeeing in response to the shooting, squeegee workers have been few and far between at most downtown intersections and officials have reported increased numbers of them taking advantage of social services and job-placement programs.

The trial is set to continue Wednesday in Baltimore Circuit Court.

Biden Administration Takes Action to Increase Transparency and Eliminate Hidden Rental Fees

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Biden Administration Takes Action to Increase Transparency and Eliminate Hidden Rental Fees

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Seeking to promote transparency and fairness for renters, major online real-estate marketplaces have joined the Biden administration’s initiative to crack down on hidden apartment rental fees.

Companies such as Zillow, Apartments.com, and AffordableHousing.com have pledged to incorporate previously hidden costs, like application and convenience fees, into their upfront advertised pricing.

Acknowledging the need for clarity on additional charges that renters often face when securing an apartment, the administration’s call for transparency has garnered support from prominent rental platforms.

Administration officials noted in a Fact Sheet that they know that many tenants have been surprised when encountering hidden fees amounting to hundreds of dollars during the application and finalization of rental agreements.

The White House further highlighted potential surprise fees that renters might encounter after securing their apartments, including convenience fees for online rent payment, fees for mail sorting, and unexplained “January fees” added at the start of a new year.
In response to these concerns, the administration has focused on tackling these so-called “junk fees.”

As part of the latest measures announced on Wednesday, July 19, prospective renters can now expect a more straightforward rental process on three major platforms – Zillow, Apartments.com, and AffordableHousing.com.

These marketplaces will display the total cost of apartments, encompassing all associated fees, unlike the previous practice of revealing only the base rent.
The White House said the change should offer a more accurate representation of the financial commitment of renting, providing renters with better tools to make informed decisions.

“At the front end of the apartment search, people often pay application fees of $50, $60, $100 or more per apartment, and have to do it many times over,” a White House official stated.

“If they’re applying to multiple units, this can add up to hundreds of dollars.”
By exposing hidden fees and encouraging transparency, the administration hopes to empower renters to make more informed choices and foster a fairer rental market.
“Reducing housing costs is central to Bidenomics, and recent data show that inflation in rental housing is abating,” White House officials stated.

“Moreover, experts predict that roughly 1 million new apartments will be built this year, increasing supply that will further increase affordability.
“The actions announced today will help renters understand these fees and the full price they can expect to pay, and create additional competition housing providers to reduce reliance on hidden fees.”

Investigation into Tupac Shakur’s Unsolved Killing Resurrected

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Investigation into Tupac Shakur’s Unsolved Killing Resurrected

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Authorities in Nevada have rekindled the investigation into the unsolved murder of rap legend Tupac Shakur, nearly three decades after his tragic death.

Law enforcement officials disclosed that they executed a search warrant earlier this week, breathing new life into the quest for justice surrounding the rap star’s shooting.
The resurgence of the case follows the June announcement by federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York, revealing charges against a third individual in the 2002 shooting death of Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay.

Authorities in New York said the indictment of Jay Bryant, 49, marked a significant breakthrough in the case involving the late Jason Mizell, professionally known as Jam Master Jay.

Bryant’s indictment builds upon the prior charges against Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr. in August 2020, as authorities said they have tirelessly pursued leads to unravel the mystery behind the murder of the influential hip-hop icon.
Tragically, Jay was shot in the head in his recording studio in Jamaica, New York, on October 30, 2002.

His death, occurring several years after the murders of Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G., also sent shockwaves through the music industry.
Meanwhile, in connection with the murder of Shakur, fatally shot on September 7, 1996, Las Vegas police confirmed they executed a search warrant on July 17.

Executed in the nearby city of Henderson, the new warrant has left the public curious about the nature of the search and the specific locations involved.
A police spokesperson refrained from providing additional details regarding the recent progress in the case, including the potential identification of a suspect.

The 25-year-old rapper was traveling in a black BMW driven by Marion “Suge” Knight, the founder of Death Row Records, as part of a convoy of about ten cars, supposedly en route to a nightclub following the Mike Tyson versus Bruce Seldon championship fight at the MGM Grand.

The police confirmed that no other occupants were in the car at the time.
At an intersection near the Las Vegas Strip, while the BMW sat at a red light, a white Cadillac carrying four individuals pulled up alongside it.
That’s when one of the occupants opened fire, unleashing a barrage of bullets into the passenger side of Knight’s car.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Shakur sustained four gunshot wounds, at least two of which hit his chest.

A bullet fragment grazed Knight himself or shrapnel from the vehicle.
Following the attack, Shakur was rushed to a hospital, where he battled for six days before succumbing to his injuries.

January 6 Indictment Looms as Former President Trump Faces Mounting Legal Woes

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January 6 Indictment Looms as Former President Trump Faces Mounting Legal Woes

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Former President Donald Trump, already indicted on state criminal charges in New York and federal crimes in Florida, is facing another legal challenge.

Trump confirmed on Tuesday that he had been served a “target letter” from the special counsel, Jack Smith, in connection with the ongoing criminal investigation into his attempts to cling to power after losing the 2020 election.
The New York Times reported that the letter indicates that Trump is likely to be indicted in the case, raising the stakes of his already tumultuous legal battles.

This marks the second time Smith has identified Trump as a target in a federal investigation, following the initial notice in June, which was related to the inquiry into Trump’s handling of national defense material after leaving office and his alleged obstruction of efforts to retrieve it.
The former president was charged with 37 criminal counts encompassing seven violations of federal law, some in conjunction with one of his aides.

He’s also awaiting a decision in Georgia, where prosecutors have empaneled a Grand Jury to look at Trump’s alleged attempts to influence the 2020 election in the Peach State.
Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump expressed his displeasure with the latest developments, blaming “Deranged Jack Smith,” the prosecutor from Joe Biden’s Department of Justice, for giving him only four days to report to the Grand Jury.

In his post, Trump implied that such short notice likely points toward an imminent arrest and indictment.
The news of this letter came to light following an inquiry into whether Trump had been informed about being a target in the investigation.

Sources close to Trump confirmed to the New York Times that he received the letter, but they anticipate that the former president would decline the invitation to appear before the grand jury.
The specific aspect of Smith’s investigation that could lead to Trump’s indictment remains unclear.

The probe has delved into a range of strategies that Trump and his allies employ to resist defeat, with at least two grand juries investigating his efforts to retain power.
Recent appearances by key figures in the Trump camp have shed light on the investigation’s scope.

The Times reported that Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, appeared before one of the grand juries in June.
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s former personal lawyer, also had a recent interview with prosecutors.

According to the Times, key areas of focus for prosecutors include assessing Trump’s state of mind and examining efforts to fundraise based on his false claims of widespread voter fraud.

Further, prosecutors scrutinize whether he was aware of his electoral defeat and explore attempts to assemble fake electors to cast ballots supporting Trump during the electoral college certification.

After the 2020 election, Trump spent several weeks publicly insisting on his victory and exploring avenues to remain in power, including contemplating using government resources to seize voting machines.

The pinnacle of the aftermath was the January 6, 2021, rally near the White House, where he encouraged his supporters to march on the Capitol while the electoral victory of Joe Biden was being certified.
The ensuing chaos saw a mob storm the Capitol building, with some members of the mob even calling for the deaths of Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

New Super PAC Aims to Empower Black Voters and Secure House Leadership

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New Super PAC Aims to Empower Black Voters and Secure House Leadership

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

To bolster Black voter participation and secure a groundbreaking achievement in House leadership, a prominent ally of the Congressional Black Caucus is launching a super PAC with ambitious plans to spend tens of millions of dollars.
The newly formed organization, called the Rolling Sea Action Fund, will focus on mobilizing Black voters and aiding Democrats in flipping the House majority.

The ultimate goal is to elect the first Black speaker of the House.
Niccara Campbell-Wallace, former political director of the Congressional Black Caucus PAC, is heading the initiative.

While the Rolling Sea Action Fund will be aligned with the all-Democratic Congressional Black Caucus, it will operate as a “hybrid PAC.”
This designation permits the group to raise candidates’ funds while maintaining a separate account to spend unlimited sums on advertisements and other election-related expenses.

To seize the House majority, Democrats must flip five seats during next year’s congressional elections.
If achieved, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries could become the nation’s first Black speaker of the House.

In an NBC interview before the launch of the Rolling Sea Action Fund, Campbell-Wallace expressed confidence in the group’s ability to execute a multipronged strategy in 2024 with an expenditure exceeding $10 million.
This strategy includes advertising campaigns, in-person organizing, and engagement in crucial communities.

The PAC will concentrate its efforts on districts with more than 8% Black voting age population, mainly focusing on the most competitive House seats.
Campbell-Wallace also indicated the possibility of the group’s involvement in primary races.
“We know that Black voters are the cornerstone of the Democratic Party and of protecting

American democracy,” Campbell-Wallace told NBC.
She further stressed that the initiative would consistently empower and mobilize Black voters, ensuring representation and inclusivity in American politics.
The Congressional Black Caucus comprises several newer members who recently won tightly contested races.

The members include Emilia Sykes of Ohio, Don Davis of North Carolina, Lauren Underwood of Illinois, Jahana Hayes of Connecticut, Lucy McBath of Georgia, Colin Allred of Texas, and Steven Horsford of Nevada.
Meanwhile, Republicans have also tried to diversify their roster of House candidates, with candidates of color and women contributing to their success in the 2020 House races.

NBC News noted that, despite Black voters’ overwhelming support for Democrats, recent polling indicates a slight decline in the party’s image among this demographic.
Campbell-Wallace believes the Rolling Sea Action Fund’s “always-on” approach will help maintain Black voter engagement.

She pointed to President Joe Biden’s and Vice President Kamala Harris’ initiatives on unemployment, infrastructure, and student loans, as well as their significance as representatives for their communities.
While the group’s primary focus is reclaiming the House majority and electing Hakeem Jeffries as speaker, Campbell-Wallace acknowledged the underrepresentation of Black women in the Senate.

She further highlighted the pursuits of Congressional Black Caucus members running for higher offices, such as California Rep. Barbara Lee’s bid for the Senate.
Campbell-Wallace left the matter open when asked about potential involvement in primary races, stating, “We’ll see.”

Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Extraordinary Career in Negotiating for the Release of American Hostages Abroad

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Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Extraordinary Career in Negotiating for the Release of American Hostages Abroad

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Rev. Jesse Jackson’s decision to step down as president and CEO of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition this month has led many to reflect on the civil rights leader’s astonishing career.
But a significant part of Jackson’s fight for justice was his ability as a deft negotiator.
That was no more evident than when Jackson distinguished himself as a diplomat.

Beyond his efforts on American soil, he played a pivotal role in securing the release of numerous American hostages held captive abroad.
His unwavering commitment to justice and diplomacy has saved lives and earned him global recognition as a skilled negotiator.

One of the most notable instances of Jackson’s intervention occurred in 1985 during the hijacking of TWA Flight 847.
En route from Cairo to San Diego, Hezbollah militants seized the aircraft and took 153 passengers hostage, including 40 Americans.

Prior to the TWA Flight 847 crisis, Jackson previously negotiated with Syrian officials for the release of a captured American airman, and several Cuban political prisoners.
In each instance, President Ronald Reagan sharply criticized Jackson for interfering with foreign matters.

However, having developed a reputation in conflict resolution, Jackson swiftly embarked on a diplomatic mission to Lebanon.
In a daring move, he met with Hezbollah leaders and engaged them in intensive negotiations.

Jackson’s empathetic approach and genuine concern for the hostages’ welfare allowed him to establish a rapport with the captors.
He also demonstrated his commitment to addressing the broader political grievances in the region, which resonated with the militants.

After several days of intense discussions, Jackson’s efforts bore fruit, and the militants agreed to release some of the hostages.
Although the release of the remaining captives took longer, his perseverance and determination ultimately led to their safe return home.
The TWA Flight 847 crisis’s successful resolution earned him praise from the American public and international leaders.

Another landmark hostage negotiation led by Jackson occurred in 1999 when Serbian forces captured three American service members during the Kosovo conflict.
Jackson traveled to Belgrade, Serbia, to talk with the Serbian leadership.

Despite the tense and complex political climate, he skillfully navigated through diplomatic obstacles and pressed for the service members’ release.
Jackson’s unyielding dedication and tenacious spirit in fighting for the hostages’ freedom were instrumental in securing their safe return.

His intervention highlighted the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving international crises.
“I stood ready to do whatever I could within the bounds of the moral and legal law to help,” Jackson insisted.

In 2017, Jackson announced that he had Parkinson’s disease, an illness caused by certain nerve cells breaking down and consequently reduces the amount of chemical, dopamine, that sends signals to the part of the brain that controls movement.
The disease affects about 60,000 Americans each year, and afflicts as many as 10 million globally.

Diagnosed in 2015, Jackson determined to work through his illness before publicly announcing it two years later.
Still, his efforts have saved lives and contributed to the global perception of America as a country that values peaceful resolution over aggression.

“Recognition of the effects of this disease on me has been painful, and I have been slow to grasp the gravity of it,” he said after publicly announcing his illness.
“A Parkinson’s diagnosis is not a stop sign but rather a signal that I must make lifestyle changes and dedicate myself to physical therapy in hopes of slowing the disease’s progression.”

Trump and Allies Plan to Expand Presidential Power in Potential 2025 White House Return

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Trump and Allies Plan to Expand Presidential Power in Potential 2025 White House Return

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Former President Donald Trump and his allies are reportedly laying the groundwork for a significant expansion of presidential authority if he returns to the White House in 2025.
According to details published in the New York Times, the proposed changes aim to reshape the executive branch’s structure, directly centralizing greater authority into Trump’s hands.
The Times cited campaign policy proposals and interviews with close associates.

The newspaper said Trump’s ambitions extend beyond recent statements about ordering a criminal investigation into his political rival, President Joe Biden, indicating a willingness to end the long-standing norm of Justice Department independence from White House political influence.

The Trump plan includes bringing independent agencies like the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) under direct presidential control.
These agencies, responsible for regulating television and internet companies and enforcing consumer protection rules, would be subject to Trump’s oversight if his vision became a reality.

Additionally, Trump plans to revive the practice of “impounding” funds, refusing to spend money that Congress has allocated for programs he opposes.
This tactic, previously banned under President Richard Nixon, could be resurrected to grant the president more control over the budgetary process.

Moreover, Trump reportedly intends to strip employment protections from tens of thousands of career civil servants, making it easier to replace individuals he perceives as obstacles to his agenda.
The report stated that this move could lead to a significant reshuffling of personnel within the government.

Trump and his advisers are not shying away from discussing their intentions openly.
They have been proclaiming their agenda during rallies and on the campaign website, and they’ve described their plans in white papers and public discussions.
Russell T. Vought, who previously ran the Office of Management and Budget in the Trump administration, explained their strategy to the Times.

“What we’re trying to do is identify the pockets of independence and seize them,” he said.
The underpinning legal theory behind their efforts is known as the “unitary executive theory,” which rejects the traditional view of the government as composed of three separate branches with checks and balances.

Instead, the theory argues that the Constitution grants the president complete control of the executive branch, thus limiting Congress’s ability to empower agency heads or restrict the president’s authority.
If Trump were to secure a second term, his expansive vision of power could come to fruition, considering he now benefits from a well-funded policymaking infrastructure.

Former officials who remained loyal to him after he attempted to overturn the 2020 election and the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack are reportedly leading this well-organized effort.
One specific idea identified by the Times involves bringing independent agencies more firmly under the president’s control.

These agencies were established within the executive branch to operate with a degree of autonomy, but Trump’s plans seek to change that.
Another proposal involves transforming the civil service and eliminating employment protections for career officials deemed involved in policymaking.

“We will demolish the deep state,” Trump said at a Michigan rally.
“We will expel the warmongers from our government. We will drive out the globalists. We will cast out the communists, Marxists, and fascists. And we will throw off the sick political class that hates our country.

Breaking the Cycle of Students Being Hungry During Summer

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Breaking the Cycle of Students Being Hungry During Summer

By Maya Pottiger, Word in Black 

Ryan Geske no longer hears “I’m hungry.”

As the director of operations at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Toledo, Ohio, this is no small feat.

The change came around 2007 when the Boys & Girls Clubs partnered with local organization Connecting Kids to Meals, which provides free, hot, and healthy meals to kids under 18.

“Kids would come and they would be hungry, and there wasn’t much that we could do 20 years ago,” Geske says. “Now we have that resource of a delicious hot lunch to serve.”

Alabama Republicans Reject Call for 2nd Majority Black District, Despite Supreme Court Ruling

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Alabama Republicans Reject Call for 2nd Majority Black District, Despite Supreme Court Ruling

By KIM CHANDLER, Associated Press

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama Republicans, under orders of the U.S. Supreme Court to redraw congressional districts to give minority voters a greater voice in elections, rejected calls Monday to craft a second majority-Black district and proposed a map that could test what is required by the judges’ directive.

Lawmakers must adopt a new map by Friday after the high court in June affirmed a three-judge panel’s ruling that Alabama’s existing congressional map — with a single Black district out of seven statewide — likely violated the Voting Rights Act. In a state where more than one in four residents is Black, the lower court panel had ruled in 2022 that Alabama should have another majority-Black congressional district or something “close to it” so Black voters have the opportunity to “elect a representative of their choice.”

Republicans, who have been resistant to creating a certain Democratic district, proposed a map that would increase the percentage of Black voters in the 2nd congressional district from about 30% to nearly 42.5%, wagering that will satisfy the court’s directive.

House Speaker Pro Tempore Chris Pringle, who serves as co-chairman of the state redistricting committee, said the proposal complies with the order to provide a district in which Black voters have the “opportunity to elect the representative of their choice.”

“The goal here, for me, was to provide an opportunity for African-Americans to be elected to Congress in the second congressional district,” Pringle said.

However, the National Redistricting Foundation, one of the groups that backed challenges to the Alabama map, called the proposal “shameful” and said it would be challenged.

“It is clear that Alabama Republicans are not serious about doing their job and passing a compliant map, even in light of a landmark Supreme Court decision,” said Marina Jenkins, executive director of the National Redistricting Foundation.

She called that a pattern seen throughout the state’s history “where a predominately white and Republican legislature has never done the right thing on its own, but rather has had to be forced to do so by a court.”

The Permanent Legislative Committee on Reapportionment approved the proposal in a 14-6 vote that fell along party lines. The proposal was introduced as legislation Monday afternoon as lawmakers convened a special session to adopt a new map by a Friday deadline set by the three-judge panel. House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter said he believes the new district will be a swing district that could elect either a Democratic candidate or a Republican.

“I think that the models will show that it could go either way, probably. I think all the court’s asked for was a fair chance. I certaintly think that map does it. I don’t think there’s any question about that,” Ledbetter said.

Democrats accused Republicans of rushing the process and thwarting the court’s directive.

Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, a Democrat from Mobile, said the court was clear that the state should create a second majority-Black district or something close to it.

“Forty-two percent is not close to 50. In my opinion 48, 49 is close to 50,” Figures said. She had urged colleagues to adopt a proposal by the plaintiffs in the Supreme Court case that would make the 2nd district 50% Black.

Under the Republican plan, the state would continue to have one majority Black district, which is now represented by Rep. Terri Sewell. The Black voting age population of that district would drop from about 55% to 51.6%

Rep. Chris England, a Democrat from Tuscaloosa, said he also doesn’t think the GOP proposal would satisfy the court’s directive. He said Republican lawmakers pushed through their proposal without a public hearing or producing an analysis of the partisan leanings of the district.

“The map that we adopted, nobody had any input on. There was no public input on it, not subject to a public hearing — and now it’s going to be the map of choice,” England said.

Deuel Ross, a lawyer with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund who argued the case before the Supreme Court, said they will challenge the proposal if it is enacted by the Alabama Legislature.

“Any plan with a low Black voting age population does not appear to comply with the Court’s instruction,” Ross wrote in an email.

Partisan politics underlies the looming redistricting fight. A higher percentage of Black voters increases the chances that a the seat will switch from GOP to Democratic control.

Pollster Zac McCrary said predicting a district’s partisan leanings depends on a number of metrics, but “getting a district too far below the mid 40s in terms of Black voter composition could certainly open the door for Republicans.”

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