National News - Page 146

Buffalo Community Resilient After Mass Shooting at Tops Supermarket

By Curtis Bunn Charles Gilbert was only a few blocks away from the Buffalo, New York, supermarket when a white 18-year-old allegedly opened fire and spread terror among the local Black community, killing 10 and injuring three on Saturday. Like countless other Black Buffalo residents, Gilbert, a podcaster, said he is mired in pain, devastation and anger, but he and many in east Buffalo say they are also resolute to come together and forge a stronger community. “We’re hurt, but we’re not broken,” Gilbert said. “We, as a people and a community, will get past this. It will take some time.

Hair Discrimination in Schools: The Urgent Need for the Crown Act

By Janelle Griffith The bill passed the House in March, but it does not have a clear path forward in the Senate. Diamond Campbell, a powerlifter at Bruce High School in Mississippi, was almost disqualified from the state championship April 1. But it wasn’t because of her form. It was because of her hair. “I remember looking back, and on the board, it’ll be green or red. If it’s green, you know, you got it. You can go on and do the next weight,” Campbell, 16, said in a recent interview, recalling the moment she stepped off the platform after completing her

Civil Rights Landmarks To Receive $16.2M In Grants

By Brandee Sanders “The African American Civil Rights grants are critical to helping preserve and interpret a more comprehensive narrative of the people, places, and events associated with the African American Civil Rights movement,” shared NPS Director Chuck Sams. The National Park Service is advancing its efforts to conserve structures that are symbolic of Black resilience and liberation. The agency’s latest initiative is centered on preserving historic spaces that served as backdrops of the civil rights movement. NPS announced it would allocate $16,247,500 to create African American Civil Rights grants. The endowments would be distributed amongst 44 projects across 15 states that

Georgia’s HB 1084 Law Sparks Outrage Among Black Educators

By Curtis Bunn In Georgia, Black educators are disheartened. They are insulted. Most of all, they are mad. A new law, signed by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, restricts teachers from teaching students about race and racism. According to the text of HB 1084, this includes any discussions that “the United States of America is fundamentally racist,” “any other form of race scapegoating or race stereotyping,” or “espousing personal political beliefs.” The law “prevents divisive concepts and ideologies from invading the classroom” and removes “obscene materials” from school libraries. It does not address, however, how violations would be enforced or what the ramifications

Black Borrowers and Student Loan Forgiveness: Challenges Ahead

By Claretta Bellamy Sherita Brown’s parents both earned college and technical school degrees. Still, they could not afford to pay for her college education when the time came. So taking out student loans was inevitable for Brown, 40, who dreamt of becoming an optometrist. “I figured with the income I would make once I graduated that it would make up for the loans that I took out,” she said. Brown worked her way through college and paid some of her expenses out of pocket, alongside her loans. After graduating from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 2010, she has paid her

Black Journalists Urged to Defend Democracy Through Truth

By Anoa Change Trevor Noah got a lot right in his remarks at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner. In his closing comments, Noah reminded journalists of their role in upholding and protecting Democracy.  And while he may have ruffled a few feathers with his statement about journalistic integrity and our commitment to upholding Democracy, Noah is right. The press and those who publish our media need to do some soul searching about what side they are on. Tuesday, May 3, marked World Press Freedom Day. And as the Supreme Court is poised to possibly overturn Roe v. Wade, journalists need to step up and stand in the

Lisa Cook Confirmed as First Black Woman on Fed Board

By Zoë Richards and Frank Thorp V The Senate confirmed economist Lisa Cook on Tuesday night to serve on the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors, making her the first Black woman to sit on the panel in its 108-year history. Cook was confirmed in a 51-50 party-line vote, with Vice President Kamala Harris breaking the tie. She will join the Fed at a challenging time as the central bank tries to rein in inflation. Last week, the Fed raised its core interest rate as it battles inflation levels that are now at 40-year highs. “As President Biden said today, addressing inflation remains a top priority of the Biden-Harris Administration, as we work

Michelle Obama Honors Mom with White House-Inspired Exhibit

By Brandee Sanders Former first lady Michelle Obama has credited her mother Marian Robinson as a source of empowerment and strength, and she’s honoring the matriarch of her family in a special way in celebration of Mother’s Day. Obama has unveiled plans to create a museum exhibit as an ode to Robinson. The exhibit—named Opening the White House—will be housed inside the forthcoming Chicago-based Obama Presidential Center Museum. It’s inspired by the values of family and community, two important deeply-rooted principles that Obama says her mother instilled within her. The exhibit will give future visitors a glimpse into the events hosted at The White House during Obama’s

Black Communities Struggle Amid Soaring Inflation Rates

By Claretta Bellamy Tanisha Boston has been feeling the effects of inflation, from the gas pump to the grocery store, for months. So in April, the 31-year-old Los Angeles resident shared her frustrations on social media, writing, “Please check on your LA friends, we are NOT okay!” under a photo of herself in front of a gas station charging $7 per gallon. Boston said that soaring prices — coupled with recently losing a job — has meant she now relies on food stamps to get by. Even though she earns some income as a freelance wardrobe stylist and Instagram influencer, she said she’s

Black Organizers Lead Abortion Access Fight in the South

By Char Adams and Bracey Harris Black organizers in the South are already working to make sure Black people’s needs are not ignored as the Supreme Court appears set to strike down Roe v. Wade. Tight restrictions on abortion have already placed the procedure out of reach for many Black women in America — obstacles that will grow even more daunting if the landmark Roe v. Wade is overturned. Across the Black Belt — the Southern states where the echoes of slavery reverberate in legislation that perpetuates political and social inequities — women have long confronted overwhelming costs and logistical obstacles in

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