National News - Page 11

A Forward March for MLK In the New Trump Era

By April Ryan “Today hits differently,” says Democratic Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett who decided to observe the National Martin Luther King Jr. holiday away from the 60th Presidential inauguration of Donald John Trump. A large swath of the 62 members of the Congressional Black Caucus who were invited to the ceremonies chose to observe the National King Day away from the nation’s capital. “Today, unlike any King Day before, I’ve truly searched my soul for his strength and praying for an ounce of his political prowess,” according to the outspoken Texas lawmaker who was a co-chair of the Kamala Harris

Alpha Kappa Alpha Founders’ Day Was Commemorated At The White House With Early Celebration By Kamala Harris

By Dantee Ramos Vice President Kamala Harris commemorated Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.‘s Founders’ Day on Jan. 8 with her Divine Nine sisters. Harris hosted the sorority for a day of sisterhood on the Navy Steps of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus. Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Founders’ Day is Jan. 15. The organization was founded at Howard University in 1980. Harris crossed Alpha Kappa Alpha in Spring 1986 through Howard University’s Alpha Chapter. According to Watch The Yard, the event marked the vice president’s fourth year hosting an early Founders’ Day celebration with her sorority sisters. “I’m so proud of the work that the members

How presidents hand over the White House on Inauguration Day

By Katie Kindelan While the world watches the pomp and circumstance of Inauguration Day unfolding at the U.S. Capitol, an intricate and highly orchestrated move unfolds behind the scenes at the White House. Every four to eight years, over the course of just a few hours, a few dozen members of the White House staff move out the belongings of the outgoing first family and move in the belongings of the new first family. This Inauguration Day, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will wake up in a White House filled with their belongings and personal mementos — everything from personal photographs to their

HBCU Leaders Prepare for ‘Delicate Dance’ Under Trump

By Sara Weissman Mississippi Valley State University, a historically Black institution, proudly announced last month that its marching band was invited to perform at Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration. The university’s president, Jerryl Briggs, described the invitation as a chance to “showcase our legacy” and “celebrate our culture.” A GoFundMe campaign was started in hopes of raising enough money for the Mean Green Marching Machine Band to make its debut on the national stage. Then the fighting started. Social media exploded with reactions to the move from within and outside of HBCU campus communities, with alumni coming down on both sides of the

States Leading the Way in Racial Progress Ahead of MLK Day

By Stacy M. Brown As the nation prepares to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, significant disparities remain between the income and employment rates of white and Black Americans. In response, WalletHub has released its comprehensive report on the “States That Have Made the Most Racial Progress,” evaluating 22 key indicators of equality across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, including median annual household income, standardized test scores, and voter turnout. Texas tops the list as the state that has made the most racial progress, particularly in reducing health disparities and closing gaps in the business sector. Wyoming and Mississippi

The long struggle to establish Martin Luther King Jr. Day

/

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. He chose that location in part to honor President Abraham Lincoln as “a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today.” Now, millions of people honor King in the same way. On the third Monday of January — close to King’s Jan. 15 birthday — federal, state and local governments, institutions and various industries recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day. For some, the holiday is just that — time off from work or school. But, King’s

When is Inauguration Day 2025? What to know, including inaugural dates and facts

By Sarah Lemire Every four years on January 20, a newly-elected president is sworn into office on what’s known as Inauguration Day in a tradition that’s been observed since 1789. Presidential elections occur every four years, on the first Tuesday in November, when U.S. citizens cast their votes for their candidate of choice. The last five elections have taken place in 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024. The next presidential election takes place on Nov. 7, 2028. After the election, the votes are tallied, then certified by Congress on Jan. 6. Two weeks later, on Jan. 20, the President-elect, along with the Vice President-elect are sworn

Annual MLK Holiday Prayer Breakfast takes place in nation’s capital

By Patricia McDougall On Jan. 11 the 7th Annual Martin Luther King Holiday D.C. Prayer Breakfast was held at Matthews Memorial Baptist Church in Washington D.C.  Under the theme of “Commit to Noble Struggle for Equal Rights,” several clergy, dignitaries and community service leaders came together to honor the legacy of the civil rights activist. In addition, young leaders of the Marion Barry Youth Leadership Institute were present. The youths, who serve as advocates for their peers and represent the voices of young people throughout the Washington D.C. area, offered words of encouragement and a prayer for peace around the

HBCU alumna Rashida Jones out as MSNBC president

By Kiya Robinson MSNBC President Rashida Jones announced yesterday that she is stepping down from the position after four years. Jones made history as the first Black executive to lead a major U.S. television news network. Rebecca Kutler has been named as interim president. “I came to this decision over the holidays while reflecting on our remarkable journey and the many successes we’ve achieved together as a team. This has been the most rewarding chapter of my professional career, and I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished, which has been made possible only by you,” Jones said in a memo

Congressional Black Caucus welcomes new members at swearing-in ceremony

By Catherine Pugh On Jan. 3 in Washington, D.C. the Congressional Black Caucus of the 119th Congress held a ceremonial swearing-in for its 62 members. Included in the number were nine new members. Among the nine new members were two new United States Senators, former Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and Delaware Congresswoman Lisa Blunt-Rochester. Both ladies follow in the footsteps of the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate in 1993, Carolyn Mosley Braun, of Ill. Senators Alsobrooks and Blunt-Rochester’s elections mark the first time in U.S. history that two African-American women will serve in the United States

1 9 10 11 12 13 151