September 29, 2016
By D. Kevin McNeir
NNPA Newswire Contributor
The idea of erecting a museum that would highlight the contributions of African Americans first received public attention more than a century ago after Black veterans of the Civil War proposed the idea. But the real push occurred when Georgia Congressman John Lewis took up the mantle, securing the support of several of his colleagues. Finally, in 2003, then-President George W. Bush signed legislation that allowed the project to begin.
On Saturday, Sept. 24, with the ringing of a bell borrowed from the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg, Virginia, founded in 1776 and one of the nation’s oldest Black churches, President Barack Obama officially dedicated the newest addition to the family of Smithsonian institutions located on the National Mall – the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC).
In his address, the president said that the museum was an essential part of America’s story.
“What we can see of this beautiful building tells us that it is truly a sight to behold. But what makes it special are the stories contained inside,” Obama said. “It is this national museum that will help tell a fuller story of who we are. The African-American story is not a sidebar or a secondary tale. No, it is central to the American story – a glorious story that illustrates how African Americans have been able to rise again and again from tragedy to triumph.”
Still, given the recent outbursts of civil unrest that have taken place in Charlotte, N.C. and Tulsa, Okla., following the shooting deaths unarmed Black men by police officers, the president also commented on what the museum cannot do.
“This museum won’t end job discrimination, violence in our cities or so many other ills and examples of injustice that we face – those things are up to us to change – by speaking out, protesting and voting,” he said. “Hopefully it will help us begin to talk to one another, really see one another and listen to one another.”
The president’s remarks served as the finale to a program attended by several hundred guests, many of whom were donors in a remarkably long fundraising initiative, led by Lonnie G. Bunch III, the founding director of the NMAAHC.
Meanwhile, as far as the eye could see, hundreds and hundreds of men, women and children lined the grounds surrounding the museum, watching the program on Jumbotrons, periodically shouting their affirmations throughout as participants including Stevie Wonder, Will Smith, Oprah Winfrey, Robert De Niro, Angela Bassett, Patti LaBelle and an acapella jazz choir from Howard University mounted the stage.
President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, also joined the special guests on stage.
Bush, passionate in his remarks, shared one statement that elicited a roar of agreement from the crowd and which Obama would reiterate during his address.
“A great nation does not shy away from the truth,” Bush said, referring to the countless lessons that he believes the new museum, through its many artifacts and exhibits, could provide to all Americans.
Ken Chenault, one of the NMAAHC advisory council members and the CEO and chairman of American Express, commented on the willingness of so many to answer the clarion call to raise the millions of dollars that were needed to start the museum project.
“I look at this building with a great sense of pride,” said Chenault. “Donors came from all across the planet – large donations and small donations – because so many people believed in the importance of building this museum. It will always remind us that what brings us together is stronger than what tears us apart.”
Bunch, overwhelmed with emotion, began his remarks by saying, “Today, a dream too long deferred is a dream no longer.”
Bunch continued: “This is not just about telling the story of a people, but a nation’s story and it will forever show how the lives of all Americans have been and will continue to be enriched, because of the contributions of African Americans.”
September 29, 2016
By Shannen Hill
Contributing Writer
The family of Wakiesha Wilson shared their heartbreak with the public regarding the death of their loved one while in custody of the Los Angeles Police Department on Tuesday, Sept. 20.
The press conference was held right in front of the downtown LAPD Metropolitan Detention Center, where Wilson was found dead in her cell on Easter Sunday, March 27. Wilson was expected to be released within a few days of her death, but when her mother, Lisa Hines called the courts on March 29, she was told that her daughter’s name was not listed.
“I miss my baby, I miss her dearly. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t shed a tear. The police were not right,” said Hines. “I think that they were totally out of line for not informing me that she was deceased. I had to call day after day. Had I not been calling looking for my daughter, I wouldn’t have found out. They were not going to call me.”
Wilson, 36, was arrested on March 25 on a misdemeanor charge of battery. The next morning she had a conversation with her mother saying that she would be coming to court that Tuesday, March 29 to be released. She also spoke on how she wanted to talk to everyone on Easter Sunday, which also happened to be her Aunt Sheila Hines Brim’s birthday.
“Wakiesha was a very loving person. She had a great personality, outgoing, energetic, full of life and I know on March 27, she wouldn't have missed calling me to wish me happy birthday,” said Brim. “Wakiesha was the type of person that loved to hug you, loved to embrace, loved to give, offer whatever she had if you needed it. And her smile. She was a beautiful person with a big smile on her face all the time."
The family has repeatedly tried to get answers about the death of Wilson, but the court has ruled it a suicide. The family does not agree and thinks that there was some sort of foul play or lack of attention. Attorney Carl Douglas, who famously worked with Johnny Cochran during the O.J. Simpson trial, will be representing the family in a $35 million lawsuit. Wilson's 13-year-old son, who recently moved to Las Vegas to live with his father, is also seeking a lawsuit through a different lawyer to bring justice to his mother's death.
“It is regrettable that the only way the family can get answers to those questions is by the filing of this claim to damages,” said Douglas. “We are hopeful that this will be the first step towards answering the questions of how and why Wakiesha Wilson lost her life far too soon.”
The press conference ended with members of Black Lives Matter walking with a banner through Downtown Los Angeles chanting, “Say her name! Wakiesha Wilson!”
September 22, 2016
By Sarafina Wright
NNPA Newswire Contributor
Black publishers representing over 200 newspapers gathered to honor some of the top leaders in Washington, D.C. who champion the Black Press and who have helped to improve the quality of life for Black America.
Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Jr., president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), and Denise Rolark-Barnes, the group's chairwoman, hosted the 2016 National Leadership Awards Reception on Thursday, Sept. 15 at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C.
“We are honored to be back in the nation’s capital to address the business concerns of the NNPA’s 200-plus, Black-owned media companies around the country,” Barnes said.
“Our Annual Leadership Awards Reception, held in conjunction with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc.’s [CBCF] Annual Legislative Conference, is one of NNPA’s signature events that mirrors what so many of our publishers do in their own communities all year long.”
Mollie Belt of the Dallas Examiner, Karen Carter Richards of the Houston Forward Times, Shannon Williams of the Indianapolis Recorder, Dorothy Leavell of the Chicago Crusader, Cheryl Mainor of the Chicago Defender, Rod Doss of the New Pittsburgh Courier and a host of other publishers attended the annual event.
“We gather at a significant moment in America’s history,” Barnes said. “We join the CBCF and others who will pay tribute to the life and legacy of Congressman Charles Rangel, Democratic representative for the 13th Congressional District of New York, who will retire this year after 46 years of national political service.”
Rangel, Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Rep. G.K. Butterfield, Jr. (D-N.C.) received the 2016 Leadership Award where each reiterated the necessity of Black-owned and operated publications.
Rangel said that while he will retire at the end of the Congressional session in order to spend more time with his family, he will continue to provide service as needed for the Congressional Black Caucus, his home state of New York and the rest of the country.
Tony A. Gaskins, Jr., a motivational speaker and life coach received the Millennial Leadership Award for his work with the NBA and Ford Motor Company.
In a prepared statement, Jim Taylor, the vice president of African American Outreach Strategy at AARP, said that his organization is very proud of the ongoing relationship with the NNPA, because both groups share the same commitment and passion for serving the African-American community.
“We are very proud of our ongoing relationship with the NNPA because we share the same commitment and passion for serving the African-American community. They have been a consistent voice of the Black community throughout their great history,” said Taylor. “At AARP, we are a voice for African Americans age 50 and over and their families, as we fight and advocate for issues of importance to this community, particularly in the areas of health security, financial resilience and personal fulfillment.
Chavis agreed with Taylor’s sentiments.
“We admire and salute these transformational leaders,” Chavis said. “At this moment in history, the United States of America is yet at another political, economic and social crossroad. The outcome of the Tuesday, November 8, national elections will have a profound impact on Black America and the whole of humanity.”
Chavis reiterated that the Black Press has a sacred obligation and responsibility to lift up a new generation of leaders and freedom fighters. He also placed a priority goal of getting out the Black vote in the upcoming national elections in November 2016.
“This marks the 189th year of the Black Press in America,” said Chavis. “Since the Freedom’s Journal in March of 1827, the Black Press has continued to be on the frontline of the freedom struggle and movement.”
September 22, 2016
By JEFFREY COLLINS
Associated Press
Authorities tried to quell public anger and correct what they characterized as false information Wednesday as Charlotte dealt with a second night of violent protests, adding itself to the list of U.S. cities that have erupted in violence over the death of a black man at the hands of police.
One man suffered life-threatening injuries Wednesday night when he was shot during a protest march, paramedics said. Police didn't immediately say who fired on the man, who was pulled away by paramedics protected by police in riot gear, who a short time later fired tear gas at the hundreds of protesters.
With officials refusing to release any video of the Tuesday shooting of 43-year-old Keith Lamont Scott, anger built as two starkly different versions emerged: Police say Scott disregarded repeated demands to drop his gun, while neighborhood residents say he was holding a book, not a weapon, as he waited for his son to get off the school bus.
The killing inflamed racial tensions in a city that seemed to have steered clear of the troubles that engulfed other places.
Destructive protests Tuesday continued into Wednesday night when a group of protesters split from a peaceful prayer vigil and marched through downtown Charlotte. Police kept their distance for about an hour, but officers in riot gear moved in as the marchers approached an upscale hotel.
Six officers suffered minor injuries, paramedics said.
Police in riot gear then began marching arm in arm through downtown Charlotte intersections, shooting tear gas at people who charged them. At least one protester knocked down a reporter during a live shot.
Associated Press writers Tom Foreman Jr., Jonathan Drew, Martha Waggoner and Steve Reed contributed to this report.