In the News

In the U.S. Capitol, largely built by enslaved Africans, members of Congress held ceremonies to mark 1619, the year Africans landed in the Virginia Colony and centuries of American chattel slavery began.  Tuesday’s ceremony was hosted by the 55-member Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and welcomed lawmakers from both sides of the aisle. The crowd ranged from Rep. John Lewis (D-GA)… Read more »

From the voices of Howard University’s choir to the resonating sound of drums, African culture encompassed the Capitol on Tuesday as the Congressional Black Caucus commemorated the 400th anniversary of the first recorded forced arrival of enslaved African people in the United States. “We celebrate certain parts of our history and the ideals that are the foundation of our country but we… Read more »

The challenges facing Minnesota's black community sounded daunting and expensive to fix as U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar hosted a group of colleagues from the Congressional Black Caucus around Minneapolis on Friday. "Isn't it sad, in 2019, that we still have these challenges?" Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, of Texas, said at a morning session in downtown Minneapolis to discuss gaps in educational… Read more »

In Deborah Simmons’ recent column “CBC is not black America’s BFF,” the author oddly blames the plight of black America on labor unions and the Democratic Party.  Predictably rather than thoughtful analysis and an honest accounting of why black America must fight — especially in the Trump-era — the author relies on baseless rhetoric conservatives have used for generations to suggest… Read more »

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee made the case for reparations for the descendants of slaves in part because of President Trump's behavior.   Under the Texas Democrat's proposal, a commission would be created to determine who would receive the payments and how much. "Tragically, 250 years of slavery in the United States for those enslaved Africans did not receive workman’s comp, salary,… Read more »

There’s nothing like going home. As observances of the 400th anniversary of Africans landing in colonial America continue, members of Congress are among those making pilgrimages to the motherland. This summer, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi traveled on official business to Ghana. At least a dozen CBC members journeyed to the West African… Read more »

Immigrant rights and the importance of the 2020 Census were in the focus at a town hall convened by Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke Tuesday night at Brooklyn College.  The congresswoman was joined by a panel of experts that included Jeff T. Behler, regional director of the U.S. Census Bureau; Jose Interiano, deputy chief at the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office; Sonia Lin, deputy… Read more »

Maxine Waters, chairwoman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services, and a dozen other members of the Congressional Black Caucus slammed federal housing chief Ben Carson over a recent decision to clamp down on critical hurricane recovery money destined for the U.S. Virgin Islands. “Your decision may unfairly delay desperately needed funding for the Virgin… Read more »

A case headed to the U.S. Supreme Court that could have a tremendously negative impact on the Black community’s civil rights as it pertains to fair play in contracting and other measures is beginning to capture attention. Nearly a week after the Justice Department filed an amicus brief in regard to the lawsuit between Entertainment Studios chairman and CEO Byron Allen and… Read more »

THE AFRO — Federal and local regulations have attempted to curb youth usage, primarily focusing on policing retailers for sales to minors and proscribing flavors and formulas particularly appealing or solely appealing to children. When the FDA announced that new products entering the market would be subject to additional scrutiny, products already at market were given amnesty through… Read more »