Breaking News
New York Post Confuses Black Business Empires, Both Named "Johnson": Still No Excuse
I hear that many think all black people look alike -- I take that back -- we have all experienced this widespread social phenomenon. But is it possible that a major mainstream publication would promote the idea that all black businesses are in a similar way "related"? Read more at bvonmoney.com.
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City to Convene with Principals and Community Leaders
The city of St. Petersburg Community Enrichment and School Programs departments, along with the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, will present the second annual "Evening with the Principals" at the USF Campus Activities Center, 140 Seventh Ave. S., on Tuesday, August 17, 6 to 8 p.m.
This is an opportunity for 150 community leaders to meet some of our newly installed principals from St. Petersburg schools, to dialog and offer assistance to school leadership teams. Participants also include USF St. Petersburg Chancellor Dr. Margaret Sullivan, Pinellas County Schools Superintendent Dr. Julie Janssen, and St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster.
"The purpose is to bring together individuals in St. Petersburg who can support our principals as they endeavor to deal with educational issues confronting our youth and community," stated Goliath J. Davis III, Ph.D., the city's Senior Administrator for Community Enrichment.
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We miss the point when we get caught up in the ‘race’ debate
Unlike too many well-meaning people in public life who get caught up in the web of that which is meaningless and unreal, I prefer to remain grounded in what is proven and real.
For example, people who know how I think, including those who have followed this column during some of the last six years, are keenly aware of my take on so-called “racism” and my consistent preach about race. Perhaps a terse reiteration may be in order. Read more at sfltimes.com.
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Jeff Greene Leads In Newest Florida Senate Primary Poll
Florida voters are in the dumps, deeply pessimistic about the state's direction and not particularly impressed with any U.S. Senate candidate. Palm Beach billionaire Jeff Greene is barely leading U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek of Miami in the Democratic primary, according to a new poll — and either looks headed for defeat in the Nov. 2 general election. Read more at tampabay.com.
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Inside an A school
Mount Pleasant Standard Based Middle School in West Tampa is an A school for 2009-2010. This achievement puts Mount Pleasant in an elite group, one of 2,013 public schools statewide that will receive part of Florida's $122.5 million in "special recognition money" for earning an A. • Many people are surprised, some incredulous. Read more at tampabay.com.
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Schomburg Library in Jeopardy
A mainstay of Harlem history is in danger of being dismantled. The collection of materials at the Schomburg Center for Research and Black Culture may be partitioned and sent to various branches of the New York Public Library. This in addition to the possibility of the Center's collections being sent off to another research library should be an issue of great concern for the Harlem community in particular, and those in the African Diaspora in general. There is even talk of renaming the facility.
The Schomburg Center for Research and Black Culture, where Afrikan Culture and History has always been a priority, MUST be wholly retained in Harlem! Please sign this petition to help make that happen.
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Waters defends herself against ethics allegations
Veteran Rep. Maxine Waters says she violated no House rules and did no wrong in connection with alleged ethics violations, including an assertion she sought federal assistance for a bank where her husband served on the board.
The California Democrat said “I have not violated any rules.” She also told a Capitol Hill news conference that she’s gone “above and beyond” what was required by House rules in reporting her activities. Read more at blackpoliticsontheweb.com.
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MBDA unveils U.S. Global Construction Program for minority-owned firms
U.S. Commerce Deputy Secretary Dennis Hightower, the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), the International Trade Administration (ITA), the Tutor Perini Corporation, and the University of Southern California’s School of Policy, Planning and Development today announced the nation’s first program created to globalize the U.S. minority-owned construction industry by providing education, mentoring and procurement opportunities to minority-owned firms. Firms that complete the program will have the opportunity to compete for a minimum of $1 billion in Tutor Perini contracts, primarily international contracts, over a four year period. Read more at blackpoliticsontheweb.com.
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Black AIDS Institute, Merck launch HIV/AIDS treatment and care advocacy network
The Black AIDS Institute (The Institute), with support from Merck, announced the launch of the Black Treatment Advocates Network (BTAN). BTAN, the first collaborative Network of its kind, will train and mobilize a team of treatment advocates with a mission to link Black Americans with HIV into care and treatment; strengthen local and national leadership; raise HIV science and treatment literacy in Black communities; and advocate for policy change and research priorities. Read more at blackpoliticsontheweb.com.
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Dr. Laura apologizes for saying N-word on the air
Talk radio host Dr. Laura Schlessinger has issued an apology for saying the N-word several times in an on-air conversation with a caller that she said was “hypersensitive” to racism.
Schlessinger said on her website Wednesday that she was wrong in using the word for what she called an attempt to make a philosophical point. Read more at blackpoliticsontheweb.com.
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Top Dems rally around Rep. Rangel at NY fundraiser
New York’s Democratic political establishment came out in force for embattled U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel on Wednesday, packing a sold-out fundraiser to praise Rangel’s service to the city and state over a 40-year career recently tainted by ethics charges.
“I’ve been to a lot of funerals, and this damn sure isn’t a funeral,” Rangel said to loud cheers. Read more at blackpoliticsontheweb.com.
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Does the Media Cover White Athletes More Favorably than African-Americans?
- Ben Roethlisberger continues to get the royal treatment from the media, NFL, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Yes he was suspended for six games by Commissioner Roger Goodell for violating the “personal conduct policy” but it will likely be reduced to four.
I remember on April 12th the district attorney in Milledgeville, Georgia announced Roethlisberger wouldn’t be prosecuted for the alleged sexual assault involving a 20-year-old co-ed March 5th. The case went no further because there wasn’t enough evidence “beyond a reasonable doubt” to move towards a trial. Read more bleacherreport.com.
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Kendrick Meek’s Primary Vote Missing In Polls?
Back in April, I asked rhetorically why Florida Senate candidate Kendrick Meek had earned so little respect from analysts and pundits. I was thinking mostly of the one-on-one general election contest then looming between Democrat Meek and likely Republican nominee Marco Rubio. Read more at huffingtonpost.com.
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August is National Black Business Month
Frederick E. Jordan hardly had any financing options when he started his engineering and construction management company in 1969. Despite the rough start, F.E. Jordan Associates Inc. has three national offices and has completed over 1,000 projects; one project including resurfacing President Obama's street in Chicago. Jordan Associates clients include, but not limited to Bank of America, Procter & Gamble, and transportation departments in Washington. Read more at associatedcontent.com.
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Bank customers get break from costly overdraft fees
Hoping to preserve more than $10 billion in annual fees, banks and credit unions are pushing hard for customers to accept costly overdraft protection on their debit and ATM cards.
The marketing blitz, which includes letters, e-mails and phone calls, comes on the eve of new consumer protections that are expected to strip much of the profit from overdraft fees. Read more at mcclatchydc.com.
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Desiree Rogers Named CEO of Johnson Publishing Company, Inc.
Linda Johnson Rice, chairman and CEO of Johnson Publishing Company, Inc. (JPC), announced today that Desirée Rogers has been named chief executive officer of JPC. Rice will continue as chairman.
”Desirée has a proven track record of successful business leadership,” said Linda Johnson Rice. She is a longstanding confidant and a savvy businesswoman who is committed to the strategic growth of Johnson Publishing Company. I look forward to working side by side with her as we embark upon this next phase for the company.” Read more at blackpoliticsontheweb.com.
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Governor appoints Cheryl Thomas to Hillsborough circuit bench
Governor Charlie Crist today announced the appointment of Judge Cheryl K. Thomas of Riverview to the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court.
“Cheryl has the heart and spirit of a true public servant, with an unwavering commitment to the principles of our judicial system,” said Governor Crist. “Her diverse set of experiences in both the public and private sectors, as well as her service to our country as an office in the United States Army, will serve the people of the Thirteenth circuit well.” Read more at flgov.com.
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45th Anniversary of Voting Rights Act Signing
On August 6, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) commemorated the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act, a bill that remains a cornerstone feature of American democracy. The Act is widely considered one of the most successful and effective civil rights statutes ever passed by Congress and continues to play an important role in combating ongoing voting discrimination throughout our nation. This anniversary follows the recent filing of three lawsuits that take aim at a core provision of the Voting Rights Act — the Section 5 pre-clearance provision. That provision requires that certain states with long histories of voting discrimination obtain federal approval before implementing new voting laws or practices. Throughout the life of the Act, hundreds of discriminatory voting changes have been blocked by this important Section 5 provision and ultimately thousands of Americans have had the obstacles to their voting rights removed. Awareness of the Voting Rights Act stops many who would otherwise seek to continue discriminatory actions. "The strength of our democracy turns on continued enforcement of the Voting Rights Act," said John Payton, LDF Director-Counsel and President. Payton noted that "the 45th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act is a moment to observe the great progress that has been made while recommitting ourselves to confront the ongoing challenges that remain and the vital protections that help us combat them." LDF played a central role in Congress's recent 2006 reauthorization of Section 5 and other provisions of the Act. During that process, Congress developed an extensive record demonstrating that discrimination persists in many places around the country. Courtesy of www.unityfirst.com.
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Former Congressman J.C. Watts joins Joint Center's Board of Governors
The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, one of the nation's leading research and public policy institutions, announced the election of former Oklahoma Congressman J.C. Watts, Jr. to its Board of Governors. Watts, who is the chairman of the J.C. Watts Companies in Washington, DC, served in Congress from 1995 to 2002, and in 1998 was selected by his peers to serve as chairman of the Republican Conference, the fourth-ranking leadership position in the majority party. "Over the past four decades the Joint Center has done enormously important work to make America a better place for all its citizens, and today it continues to play a critical role in the policy making process," said Mr. Watts. "I value this opportunity to build on the Joint Center's influence and increase its impact in empowering all Americans to achieve their dreams." As head of J.C. Watts Companies, Mr. Watts has built a diverse business organization that includes the nation's first African-American owned John Deere dealerships; CLS Group, a project management firm with construction and engineering operations; and Watts Partners, a public affairs consulting company. He currently advises several major companies, including John Deere, and serves on the Board of Directors of Dillard's. He also created the J.C. and Frankie Watts Foundation to focus on urban renewal and other charitable initiatives. Courtesy of www.unityfirst.com.
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Early Voting Starts Today
Early Voting starts today, and any citizen needing to find their early voting site may log on to the award-winning League of Women Voter's website www.VoteAnywhere.org , or for Spanish-speaking voters to www.VamosaVotar.org.
This will be a critical election year for Floridians, with decisions which will impact our competitiveness in education, healthcare, coastal drilling, protection of our water resources, growth management, and the list goes on. Voters will face an historic number of state offices up for election, with no incumbents running. In addition, voters have to navigate as many as 10 complex ballot amendments, with their choices having a major impact on everything from class size to property taxes.
"In this pivotal election year for Florida's future, we call on every voter to exercise their citizenship and VOTE in the August primary," states Deirdre Macnab, President of the League of Women Voters of Florida. "Vote on your schedule. It's democracy made easy!"
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