By Itoro N. Umontuen The 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture presented by Coca-Cola has expanded its Evening Concert Series lineup. Newly announced performers include Babyface and Leon Thomas. The annual festival returns to the legendary Caesars Superdome with a lineup spanning hip-hop, R&B, soul, and funk. Organizers say the concert series will feature artists from multiple generations. Previously announced performers include Cardi B, Latto, Kehlani, Patti LaBelle, Brandy, Monica, Public Enemy, and George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic. George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic will celebrate 50 years of the ‘Mothership’ landing in New Orleans. The performance will include appearances by Big Boi, Scarface, Big…
Author: Black Press USA
The 2026 WNBA Draft delivered a night packed with milestones, standout selections, and major shifts for franchises shaping their future. One of the biggest headlines came from the UCLA Bruins, who saw six players drafted—an impressive feat that underscores the program’s dominance this past season. Two of those players, Lauren Betts and Angela Dugalić, now head to the Washington Mystics, a franchise clearly focused on rebuilding with elite young talent. Both athletes played key roles in UCLA’s national championship win on April 5, making their transition to the pros especially compelling. At the top of the draft, the Dallas Wings made a bold but expected move by…
Veterans Day is a moment to honor service, recognize sacrifice, and renew our commitment to those who have worn the uniform. Yet it’s also a time to confront an urgent reality: veterans die by suicide at nearly 1.5 times the rate of the general population. Through Face the Fight®, a national movement co-founded by USAA, Reach Resilience, and the Humana Foundation, organizations across the country are joining forces to save veteran lives and strengthen networks of support. To learn more about this life-saving initiative and how philanthropy can drive lasting impact, BlackPressUSA spoke with Tiffany Benjamin, CEO of the Humana Foundation,…
On Thursday, July 17, local and national organizers will highlight the legacy of late Civil Rights leader and former Congressman John Lewis on the fifth annual John Lewis National Day of Action. With more than 1,600 events scheduled nationwide, GoodTroubleLivesOn.org says it will respond to the attacks posed on civil and human rights by the Trump administration and remind the White House that in America, the power lies with the people. In memory of former Congressman Lewis, activists will take to the streets, courthouses and community spaces to carry forward his fight for justice, voting rights and dignity for all, demanding an…
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — “I’ve always believed that we need to be honest about our history, especially in the face of ongoing efforts to erase it. Darkness can hide much, but it erases nothing. Only with truth can come healing, justice, and repair.” By Joseph R. Biden, Jr. 46th President of the United States: 2021—2025 The people of Galveston, Texas, have been commemorating Juneteenth since the Civil War ended. Yesterday, in honor of the 160th anniversary, I went there to join them. You can read about the events of Juneteenth, but there’s nothing quite like going to Galveston and seeing where it all happened.…
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Dr. Brown said the museum had previously asked to keep the items permanently. “Now, all of a sudden, you can have it back,” he said. “There was no conversation. Just an email.” On Let It Be Known, the Black Press of America’s daily morning show, Dr. Amos C. Brown exposed what he described as an attempt to erase Black history through the Smithsonian’s decision to return artifacts he loaned to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Host Stacy M. Brown and co-host Niele Anderson led a discussion that covered the museum’s actions, the political climate…
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — videos featuring journalist Charles Blow and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who delivered searing critiques of a House Judiciary Committee vote that, as Crockett described it, gives former President Donald Trump the power to deport U.S. citizens. The May 1 edition of Let It Be Known began with a pair of videos featuring journalist Charles Blow and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who delivered searing critiques of a House Judiciary Committee vote that, as Crockett described it, gives former President Donald Trump the power to deport U.S. citizens. Crockett, visibly outraged, revealed the shocking development during a live markup session, warning…
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) deeply mourns the loss of the 23rd Secretary of Labor, Alexis M. Herman. NCNW National Chair (WASHINGTON, D.C., April 25, 2025) – The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) deeply mourns the loss of the 23rd Secretary of Labor, Alexis M. Herman. NCNW National Chair, Dr. A. Lois Keith, and President and CEO Shavon Arline-Bradley issued the following statements: NCNW National Chair, Dr. A. Lois Keith said, “Our hearts are heavy from this loss. My friend, Sec. Herman provided guidance, poise, and expertise to all who had an opportunity to work with…
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Congressman Clyburn co-led a letter alongside Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) to President Biden urging him to use his executive clemency power in the final months of his presidency to reunite families, address longstanding injustices in our legal system, and set our nation on the path toward ending mass incarceration.WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06) released the following statement on President Joe Biden providing clemency for nearly 1,500 individuals in home confinement and pardons for 39 individuals convicted of non-violent crimes. “I applaud President Biden for pardoning 39 people with non-violent convictions…
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Mass incarceration remains a persistent, systemic injustice that erodes the soul of America. Our nation has the highest incarceration rate in the world, with nearly two million people locked in jails and prisons throughout the country. Read the letter here. Watch the press conference here.WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06), Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) led 60 of their colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden urging him to use his executive clemency power in the final months of his presidency to reunite families, address longstanding injustices in our legal system, and set…