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Bernice King Reflects on MLK Legacy Amid Trump Era

By Kimmy Yam The coincidence that Martin Luther King Jr. Day lands on the same Monday as Donald Trump’s inauguration isn’t a cause for concern, according to Bernice King, the late civil rights icon’s daughter. In an interview with MSNBC’s “The Weekend” on Saturday, she said the timing provides an opportunity to reflect on her father’s legacy as the U.S. transitions to a new administration. “It’s wonderful that this occurs on the King holiday, the inauguration, because it reminds us of King,” said Bernice King, the youngest of Martin Luther King’s four children and who was 5 years old when her father was assassinated in 1968. “It

Trump Signs Orders Rolling Back DEI and Gender Protections

By Daniel Arkin, Yamiche Alcindor and Matt Lavietes President Donald Trump on Monday signed executive orders proclaiming that the U.S. government will recognize only two sexes, male and female, and ending “radical and wasteful” diversity, equity and inclusion programs inside federal agencies. In a phone call Monday morning ahead of Trump’s swearing-in, senior White House officials detailed both orders, grouping them under the Trump administration’s wider “restoring sanity” agenda. The officials presented the gender order as part of a policy “defending women from gender ideology extremism and restoring biological truth to the federal government.” The order aims to require that the federal government use the term “sex” instead

MLK Day and Trump Inauguration Stir Reflections, Protest

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

Kamala Harris Honors AKA Founders’ Day at White House

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

Inside the White House Move 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

HBCUs Navigate Trump Era With Hope and Hesitation

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

Texas Leads in Racial Progress, WalletHub Report Finds

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

MLK Day: History, Impact & Call to Serve Beyond the Holiday

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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

Inauguration Day 2025: Date, Events & Unique MLK Twist

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

D.C. Prayer Breakfast Honors MLK and Community Sheroes

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

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