Rep. Adams Returns Landmark IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act to Capitol Hill
Representative Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (S- NC-12) and Representative French Hill (R-AR-02) reintroduced the Institutional Grants for New Infrastructure, Technology, and Education for Historically Black College and University Excellence Act, also known as the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act, H.R. 8791. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) and Senator Tim Scott(R-SC) introduced a companion package in the Senate. “For generations, HBCUs have educated students who went on to lead in every corner of our country, often while operating with far fewer resources than their peer institutions,”saidCongresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D., Founder and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus and a senior member of the Congressional Black Caucus.“The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act is about making
California’s race for governor and other key primaries remain unsettled as vote count continues
By Adam Edelman and Ben Kamisar California’s crowded, protracted gubernatorial primary is going to take a little more time to settle. The race remained too early to call Wednesday morning with less than 60% of the expected vote counted, according to NBC News’ Decision Desk. Three main candidates — former Fox News host Steve Hilton, a Republican, and two Democrats, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and billionaire activist Tom Steyer — are competing for two spots in the general election, with the candidate in fourth place, Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, running well behind. Hilton had 28% support in the all-party primary,
House votes to rebuke Trump over war with Iran
By Scott Wong and Kyle Stewart WASHINGTON — The House offered a rare rebuke to President Donald Trump on Wednesday, passing a Democratic-led measure to end his war with Iran over objections from Republican leadership. It was one of two Democratic-led measures opposed by the White House that advanced in the GOP-led House. Lawmakers later passed a motion that would unlock a vote on sending aid to Ukraine. The Iran war powers resolution, offered by Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, had been heading for a vote before the House left for its Memorial Day recess May 21. But
Shaw University Alumna Nikia Smith Sellers Elected Judge — Defeating the YSL Trial Judge in the Process
A Shaw University alumna just made her mark on the Atlanta judicial system — and the HBCU community should be celebrating. On May 19, 2026, Nikia Smith Sellers, a proud Shaw University alumna, won election to the Atlanta Judicial Circuit Superior Court. She defeated incumbent Judge Paige Reese Whitaker — the same judge who presided over the tail end of the infamous Young Thug and YSL RICO trial. Sellers received 101,323 votes, clearing 50.84% of the total and avoiding a runoff entirely. It is a landmark moment for HBCU alumni in law, leadership, and public service. Who Is Nikia Smith Sellers Sellers is
Democratic battles and incumbents on defense: What to watch in Tuesday’s primaries
By Ben Kamisar, Bridget Bowman, Adam Edelman and Alexandra Marquez The fight to shape the future of the Democratic Party is playing out in a slew of key primaries across six states Tuesday, as races across six states set the matchups in crucial November battlegrounds and settle personal and ideological battles across the country. Voters will head to the polls in California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota, with the biggest contest of the night being California’s race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom. California has a slew of important House primaries, too, after Democrats redrew the state’s congressional lines in hope of
Primary challengers threaten to unseat House members across the country
By Ben Kamisar Four House incumbents have already lost re-election bids so far this year, just a few months into primary season. And about a dozen more are facing legitimate threats in the coming months. Two Republican incumbents are squaring off for one district in California next week, the latest example of redistricting changing not just general elections but primaries as well, after two Democratic members lost in Texas last week. But the heaviest upcoming primary action will be on the Democratic side. A handful of Democratic incumbents in California will also face energetic challengers arguing that voters want a fresh
Charlotte lawmaker reintroduces HBCU infrastructure bill
A bill introduced in Congress earlier this month would pave the way for federal funding that would upgrade infrastructure at the nation’s historically Black colleges and universities like Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte. Federal lawmakers have introduced bills to fund infrastructure upgrades at historically Black colleges.U.S. Reps. Alma Adams, a Charlotte Democrat and Arkansas Republican French Hill introduced HR 8791, the Institutional Grants for New Infrastructure, Technology, and Education for Historically Black College and University Excellence Act. Sens. Chris Coons, a Maryland Democrat, and Tim Scott, a South Carolina Republican introduced a companion legislation in the upper chamber. HR
Howard, NCAT alums star in A Different World reboot
When Netflix revives A Different World this fall, the series won’t just be telling stories about HBCU life — it will feature several people who actually lived it. The highly anticipated sequel series returns viewers to Hillman College, the fictional HBCU that became a cultural touchstone for Black college life during its original run from 1987 to 1993. But unlike many Hollywood productions centered around HBCU culture, this version includes cast members and creative leaders with real ties to historically Black colleges and universities. At the center of those connections is legendary producer, director and choreographer Debbie Allen, a Howard University graduate who
Chuck Schumer lays out Democrats’ plan to fight Trump’s ‘anti-weaponization’ fund in the Senate
By Julie Tsirkin, Sahil Kapur, Frank Thorp V, Ryan Nobles and Raquel Coronell Uribe Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday that Democrats would try to kill President Donald Trump’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, forcing Republicans to vote to preserve the compensation money. “This week, Senate Democrats will launch a coordinated effort to kill the slush fund before one cent goes out the door,” Schumer said in a “Dear Colleague” letter released Monday. Schumer pointed to Republicans’ plans to use budget reconciliation again to advance their spending priorities, a move that would allow Democrats to bring up unlimited amendments as the Senate considers the bill. “If Republicans return to reconciliation,
Nancy Pelosi breaks silence on race to succeed her in Congress
by Nadia Lopez Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi endorsed Supervisor Connie Chan this week in the race to succeed her in Congress, delivering a major boost to a candidate who has struggled to keep pace with her better-funded rivals. Why it matters: Pelosi’s 11th-hour backing could prove decisive in the high-stakes primary, potentially helping consolidate traditional Democratic voters behind Chan while tying her candidacy to one of the most powerful political networks in the country. Pelosi announced last year that she would retire after nearly four decades representing California’s 11th Congressional District, setting off one of the city’s biggest political succession fights in decades. The