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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

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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

Student Loan Forgiveness: Biden Cancels Debt for 150,000 More Borrowers

With just one week left in his presidency, President Joe Biden announced a new round of student loan forgiveness for 150,000 borrowers. Although he fell short of his broader promise to cancel student debt on a larger scale, the White House confirmed in a press release that Biden has now forgiven loans for a total of 5 million borrowers during his term. According to NBC News, Biden stated that he has “forgiven more student loan debt than any other administration in history,” highlighting the administration’s aggressive efforts to address the student debt crisis. Biden Student Loans: Expansion of Public Service Loan Forgiveness The most recent

HBCU President Named Person of the Year by Times and Democrat

By Ashley Brown In a testament to his inspirational leadership, the Times and Democrat Newspaper has recognized Clafin University President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack as its 2024 Person of the Year. This recognition reflects his transformative impact on Claflin since his tenure began in 2019. Under Warmack’s guidance, Claflin University has experienced significant advancements beyond academic growth. The Times and Democrat highlighted his commitment to “Elevation and Transformation,” noting accomplishments such as new campus facilities, innovative majors, and enhanced community engagement. “I am honored to receive this award,” Warmack stated. “You’re not in this community 155 years without giving trusted service. I

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