The National Coalition of Black Veterans Organizations extends our deepest gratitude for your decades of dedicated service to our nation. During your Presidential administration, you seized the opportunity to recognize the honorable service of then-Colonel Charles Young with a posthumous promotion to Brigadier General, a recognition that our coalition had pursued for more than forty years. In the aftermath of this distinguished honor, we collaborated with the states of Kentucky and Ohio to designate and unveil the BG Charles Young Memorial Historical Corridor. Spanning a 170-mile stretch, the corridor includes more than ten historically Black locations, starting in Nicholasville, Kentucky,…
Author: Kermit Williams
Ella Jenkins, a self-taught musician who defied her industry’s norms by recording and performing solely for children, and in doing so transformed a marginal and moralistic genre into a celebration of a diverse yet common humanity with songs like “You’ll Sing a Song and I’ll Sing a Song,” died on Saturday in Chicago. She was 100. Ms. Jenkins in 2004 at the Grammys, where she received a lifetime achievement award. With her is Neil Portnow, the chairman and chief executive of the Recording Academy.© R. Diamond/WireImage — Getty Images Her death was confirmed by John Smith, associate director at Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. Ms.…
Statement from NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson “Millions of Americans cast their ballots in one of the most consequential elections of our time. From congressional seats to judicial appointments, and ballot propositions, America decided. No matter who occupies the Oval Office, our mission remains clear. For over a century, the NAACP has, and will continue to champion justice and equity. We are determined to protect and uplift Black and underserved communities. This election cycle we made a historic $20 million investment in efforts to get out the vote and mobilize over 14.5 million Black voters. We’re not stopping there.…
As we reflect on this election and its outcomes, we recognize that for many, there is a sense of disappointment in seeing another opportunity for a woman to lead our nation deferred. Yet, the story of women in America has always been one of resilience, courage, and determination. While history is made at every election, significant change often requires perseverance and sustained effort. Women have faced setbacks before, yet each time, they have rallied together, breaking new ground and driving change. After every challenge, we’ve seen women step forward and lead—from the historic ‘Year of the Woman’ in 1992 to…
Donald Trump, who was bogged down in the kind of baggage that would sink any other candidate, nonetheless sailed to victory to become the 47th president of the United States. As of this writing, he had won 277 electoral votes and four out of seven battleground states (North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin). Trump, who before his election as president in 2016 had never served in government, oversaw an administration filled with chaos, was impeached for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, refused to concede the 2020 election, which he lost, was impeached a second time for inciting the insurrection on Jan.…
Quincy Jones, the multitalented music titan whose vast legacy ranged from producing Michael Jackson’s historic “Thriller” album to writing prize-winning film and television scores and collaborating with Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and hundreds of other recording artists, has died at 91. Jones’ publicist, Arnold Robinson, says he died Sunday night at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles, surrounded by his family. Jones was to have received an honorary Academy Award later this month. “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the family said in a statement. “And although…
Every vote counts, every voice matters, and we must ensure that all Americans — especially young and marginalized people — are fully engaged in the democratic process.
BALTIMORE (RNS) — After an unusual election that gave voters the choice on the ballot of a name or a “no,” members of the National Baptist Convention, USA, lined up behind a new president, the Rev. Boise Kimber, senior pastor of First Calvary Baptist Church in New Haven, Connecticut. Kimber, who ran unopposed but needed the approval of the historically Black denomination’s delegates, received 1,774 “yes” votes, or 69% of the votes cast, on Thursday (Sept. 5), while 79 votes, or 31%, were cast as “no” votes. “Oh, how marvelous God is,” said Kimber, after outgoing NBCUSA President Jerry Young…
As Chair of the NAACP’s National LGBTQIA Committee, I have the honor and responsibility of representing communities that are often marginalized in both public and private spheres. As a Black Gay Man, I have experienced firsthand the unique challenges that come with being at the intersection of race, sexual orientation, and gender identity in a society that has historically excluded both Black and LGBTQIA voices from critical conversations. That’s why this upcoming election isn’t just another cycle — it’s a defining moment for all of us. I’m reminded of the stories of elders — those who marched, organized, and fought…
NNPA NEWSWIRE — President Biden’s Justice40 initiative. This executive order ensures that 40% of federal investment benefits flow to disadvantaged communities, addressing deep-seated inequities. For generations, Black communities have been systematically denied the resources and opportunities provided to other American communities. Justice40 is more than a Biden-Harris initiative — it ensures a financial commitment to restore communities from historical inequities and bring lasting investment where needed most. It doesn’t matter if you don’t love Vice President Kamala Harris, are skeptical about her policies, or dislike her background as a prosecutor. If we want to see the progress and resources for…