June 02, 2021

Wilberforce University is sending its newest graduating classes home with a huge gift and peace of mind. President Elfred Anthony Pinkard announced that their debt owed to the university by students from 2020 and 2021 has been settled and carries a zero balance.

Wilberforce University Cancels $375K Student Debt

By Mirna Alsharif Wilberforce University will cancel student debt for 2020 and 2021 graduates, according to a news release. The president of the historically Black university made the announcement during 2021 commencement exercises Saturday, noting the total amount of cleared debt will be more than $375,000. “As these graduates begin their lives as responsible adults,

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Kina Collins Launches 2022 Primary Bid Against Rep. Davis

By Gregory Krieg Gun violence prevention activist Kina Collins announced Tuesday that she is launching a new Democratic primary challenge to Rep. Danny Davis in Illinois’ 7th Congressional District. Davis has been a target of progressive insurgents in recent cycles, winning each time while seeing his vote total slip. He fended off three challengers in

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Maryland to End $300 Federal Jobless Aid on July 3

By Paul LeBlanc, Tami Luhby and Kelsie Smith Maryland will stop paying jobless residents the $300-a-week federal boost and end two other pandemic unemployment benefits programs on July 3, Republican Gov. Larry Hogan announced Tuesday. The decision makes Maryland the 25th GOP-led state to terminate the federal supplement and the 20th to completely pull out

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Texas Democrats Stall GOP Voting Bill, Biden Faces Gridlock

Analysis by Stephen Collinson Texas Democrats launched the most dramatic revolt yet against nationwide Republican bills to restrict voting by walking out of the state’s legislature over the holiday weekend. But their last-ditch effort may only temporarily stall the effort and underscores how the deadlock in Washington is making it easier for Republicans to act

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Biden Unveils Plan to Narrow Racial Wealth Gap

By Tami Luhby and Katie Lobosco President Joe Biden on Tuesday laid out his most comprehensive plan yet for shrinking the nation’s longstanding racial wealth gap, the latest step in his promise to infuse more equity in government policies and in the rebuilding of the economy after the coronavirus pandemic. Some measures — including changes

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ROME, ITALY - MAY 12: Naomi Osaka of Japan looks dejected after defeat on day 5 of the the Internazionali BNL d’Italia match between Naomi Osaka of Japan and Jessica Pegula of USA at Foro Italico on May 12, 2021 in Rome, Italy. Sporting stadiums around Italy remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Naomi Osaka Withdraws from French Open for Mental Health

By Scottie Andrew One of the best tennis players in the world is sitting out one of the most important tournaments of the year. Naomi Osaka of Japan, who at age 23 is ranked No. 2 by the Women’s Tennis Association and has four Grand Slam titles, withdrew from the French Open this week, a

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Oakland Tech’s First Black Male Valedictorian Inspires

By Devin Fehely Graduation day is always special for high school seniors, but there was just a little extra pride when Oakland Tech held its commencement ceremony Saturday. When Ahmed Muhammad walked up to the microphone, he became the first Black male to ever give the valedictorian address. A straight-A student, star athlete and young

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Harris to Lead Biden Administration’s Fight for Voting Rights

By Jasmine Wright President Joe Biden announced Vice President Kamala Harris will lead his administration’s efforts on voting rights in a speech Tuesday on the Tulsa Race Massacre in Oklahoma. The new role comes as the Biden administration condemns efforts by Republican-led state legislatures to pass restrictive laws the White House says make it harder

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Post-Memorial Day COVID-19 Risks and Vaccination Progress in US

By Madeline Holcombe While Memorial Day was a milestone for a return to a sense of normalcy from the Covid-19 pandemic, it could take another two weeks to determine where the US really stands, an expert said. “In some ways, this was the first big stress test,” CNN medical analyst Dr. Leana Wen said. “We

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