June, 2020 - Greater Diversity News

New NHRMC Medical Tower Opens to General Medical Patients

WILMINGTON, NC – New Hanover Regional Medical Center will begin caring for patients at its new medical tower on Monday, June 29, 2020. Positioned on NHRMC’s 17th Street campus in Wilmington, the new 108-bed tower will begin by opening all 36

SPLC Announces $30 Million Investment to Increase Voter Registration

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) today announced it is investing up to $30 million from its endowment in voter outreach organizations in the Deep South to increase voter registration and participation among people of color with a lower propensity

Black People Suffer Disproportionately from Dementia Crisis

Alzheimer’s disease (the most common type of dementia) is the 6th leading cause of death among White people, but the 4th leading cause of death for Black people like me. The Black population age 65+ is projected to more than double in

Nearly 500 Small Businesses File Bankruptcy Since February

New statistical table and analysis available on the American Banking Institute’s (ABI) SBRA Resources website show that 471 small businesses have elected to file for bankruptcy relief under new subchapter V to chapter 11 of the Code since it was enacted. The

Sugar Ray Leonard Talks Boxing, Personal Demons, and Greatest Triumphs

The Quintuple Champ, “Sugar” Ray Leonard, has won five world titles in five separate weight divisions, lineal titles (defeating undisputed champions) in three weight divisions, as well as the undisputed welterweight title. Leonard is widely considered one of the greatest

Trump Tweets White Power Message, Republican Senator Tim Scott Expresses Dismay

In yet another social media moment invoking race in America, President Donald Trump retweeted a video of a supporter heard yelling, “White power!” The tweet displayed a video of a parade of supporters of the President riding golf carts through

Make America ‘Great’ for All Americans – First Step Against Systemic Racism

The events of recent weeks — beginning with the tragic police murders of George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks and culminating in the most diverse coalition of protesters for equal justice that this nation has ever seen — have opened color-blind

2020 Virtual HBCU Possibilities Summit – Supporting Students from HBCUs

You solve problems. So do we. See yourself here. This year, through our virtual HBCU Possibilities Summit, we are excited to offer new and innovative content designed to provide students with tangible, resume-enhancing skills, networking opportunities with our HBCU Alumni

Eight Minutes and 46 Seconds – What’s Necessary to Make Systemic Change

Over the past weeks across the nation, united demonstrations have made the message clear: People have had enough of the ongoing struggle for equality and equity, of the battle against systemic injustice, and the fear of being a person of

Working Together to Build Relationships with Law Enforcement

In December, I was honored to be sworn in as Kentucky’s 51st Attorney General, the first Black man to hold the position, the first to be named chief law enforcement officer of the Commonwealth, and the first to be independently

Counseling Helps in Adapting to a New Norm

The sudden call to think extremely out of the norm took nearly the entire population of the world out of their comfort zone. Many took the stance of a sincere awareness, but some were so distanced from it that there

America Should Embrace Prison Returnees to Our Communities

I am pleased to work and live in our nation’s capital. Washington, DC is a city on the move progressively even amidst the continued existence of the COVID-19 pandemic. But there is one emerging issue in the District of Columbia

Joe Biden Virtual Events – ‘Ways We Can Get the Message Out During Pandemic

About this event We’re looking for Team Joe volunteers from across the country to take action for Vice President Biden’s campaign! Join one of our Action Center trainings to learn how to use our online organizing hub to volunteer virtually

WPD Terminates Three Officers Heard Using Hate-Filled Language Against African Americans

Wilmington, NC – At 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, the Wilmington Police Department held a news conference announcing the termination of three officers and the circumstances that led to the decision. Below, you’ll find Chief Donny Williams’ statement as

Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum New Site Manager Lacey Wilson

RALEIGH, N.C. – Lacey Wilson has been named the new site manager at the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum in Gibsonville, one of 29 state historic sites of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Wilson previously was a historic interpreter

Racism And Distrust In The Country’s Medical System Among African Americans

By Chris Jones

It’s no secret that the nation has seen a disproportionate loss of life among black Americans. That was the case in May 1968…

Black Homicide Victimization by State – Missouri Ranked #1

95 Percent of Black Homicide Victims in Missouri were Killed with Guns Washington, DC — For the fourth year in a row, Missouri has the highest black homicide victimization rate in the nation with a rate of 57.30 per 100,000

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Awards Historic $100,000 Founders’ Centennial Scholarship

Zeta celebrates 100 years with largest single recipient scholarship awarded by a historically Black Greek-lettered sorority or fraternity WASHINGTON — Cayla Withers, a recent graduate of A.L. Brown High School in Kannapolis, NC, was awarded Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated’s

Man Wrongfully Arrested Because Face Recognition Can’t Tell Black People Apart

DETROIT — Robert Williams, a Black man and Michigan resident, was wrongfully arrested because of a false face recognition match, according to an administrative complaint filed today by the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan. This is the first known

A Blueprint to Be a Catalyst for Change by Promoting Truth, Understanding and Unity

Our country is currently seeking ways to spark new conversations that can lead to changes in perceptions about people, bridge differences and break through the barriers that divide us. TRU Colors, based in Wilmington, North Carolina, is providing a national platform

Trump Administration Withholding $14 Billion in Critical Coronavirus Funding

With more than 2.3 million confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in America and a staggering 122,000 deaths, Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Patty Murray (D-Washington) say President Donald Trump is sitting on about $14 billion

Alpha Kappa Alphas Celebrate 30 Years of Service Sigma Tau Omega Chapter – GDN Exclusive

It has been thirty years this month since the Sigma Tau Omega (STO) Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated was chartered in Cary and Western Wake County to “…provide service and solve problems” for the local community. Chapter President

Black Americans, Crucial Workers in Crises, Emerge Worse off – Not Better

(Caption: A group of sharecroppers, evicted from their land in the Great Depression, stand beside a Missouri road in January 1939. GHI/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) On June 19, 1865 – 155 years ago – black Americans celebrating the day of

U.S. Senator Doug Jones (D-AL): We Can’t Let This Moment Pass

This week, I convened a bipartisan group of Senators to read aloud Martin Luther King Jr.’s “A Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” This was the second year I’ve done this, and I hope to make it an annual tradition.

NNPA President Dr. Ben Chavis to Moderate Forum on Equality

National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) President and CEO, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., will serve as a moderator for an important national forum on racial equality in Phoenix, Arizona. “I’m honored to have legendary civil rights leader and NNPA President

Black Workers More Likely to Face Retaliation for Raising Coronavirus Concerns

As more corporations jump into the fray, offering statements of support for African Americans in the aftermath of the police killing of George Floyd and the ensuing protests, a new study reveals that many companies’ actual policies and practices contradict

The Sword of The Black Press – Trailblazing Journalist Lucius Gantt

The 40-Year-Old Gantt Report, Authored by Trailblazing Journalist/Entrepreneur Lucius Gantt, is One of the Longest-Running Newspaper Columns in America. In an Exclusive Florida Courier Newspaper Interview, He Tells Readers Why He’s ‘Stayed Black.’ Never heard of Lucius Gantt? Here’s a

Indiana Republicans Declare ‘Black Lives Matter’ at Convention

That’s a big shift. But judge the Indiana Republican Party on what it does next. The Indiana Republican Party is experiencing an identity crisis. It is emphatically gesturing to its origin story — the party of Lincoln! — while flailing

Web Event: Important Role HUB Firms Play in Local Economies Forum

Dear HUB Vendors/Supporters, Join us for a virtual panel discussion about the important role that Historically Underutilized Businesses play in local economies; in creating equitable opportunities; and in closing the racial wealth gap. The panel will address concrete policies and

Yvonne Lewis Holley Vies to Make history as First Black NC Lieutenant Governor

A GDN Election 2020 Special When the smoke cleared after the March 3rd primaries two months ago, suddenly, the prospect that North Carolina’s next Lieutenant Governor would be an African American became real. True that briefly, there was the question

Senate Urged to Pass $1 Trillion in Aid to Prevent Racial, Economic Divisions

Without immediate aid to states, cities and towns, the structural inequalities – which have exposed systemic racism, led to disproportionate deaths and economic catastrophe among black communities – will worsen. WASHINGTON – On a conference call Thursday afternoon, Rep. Hakeem

Congress Moves George Floyd Justice in Policing Act Measure Forward

The House Judiciary Committee has introduced the George Floyd Justice In Policing Act, the first-ever bold, comprehensive approach to hold police accountable, end racial profiling, change the law enforcement culture, empower communities, and build trust between law enforcement and minority communities

Black Restaurant Week: Creating Solutions for Black Businesses During COVID-19

HOUSTON, TEXAS – Black Restaurant Week LLC, the organization responsible for celebrating the flavors of African American, African and Caribbean cuisine with a series of regional cultural events, celebrates five years of service. The mission: feed and fuel the

Educating, Emancipation, Empowering, and Energizing our Communities

Juneteenth is the oldest celebration of the ending of slavery. Join our 1st Juneteenth Virtual Forum We will be discussing Topics such as: Voting, Slavery, The NAACP, COVID19, Black Lives Matter, The US Colored Troops, Economic Development/Businesses, Reparation, The Food

Virtual Voter Registration Training – from Democracy NC

Monday, June 29, 2020 at 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM Sandhills, North Carolina Public · Hosted by Jessica Brooke It is so important to begin now to get new voters registered, current voters to update their addresses, and educate all regarding the

NHCDP Town Hall With Yvonne Holley and Josh Stein

When: Monday, June 22nd, 7 p.m. Where: Zoom Virtual Town Hall For Attorney General Josh Stein and Lieutenant Governor candidate Yvonne Holley. Last week New Hanover Dems met four of our NC Council of State candidates. Monday, June 22nd, we’ll meet two

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings Donates $120 Million to HBCUs

Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings and his wife, Patty Quillin, have donated $120 million to historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The donation will be divided three ways between the United Negro College Fund and two historically black colleges, Spelman and Morehouse,

Supreme Court to Decide the Future of the Electoral College

Many Americans are surprised to learn that in U.S. presidential elections, the members of the Electoral College do not necessarily have to pick the candidate the voters in their state favored. Or do they? This month the Supreme Court will rule on

Black Religious Leaders Are up Front and Central in US Protests

When the Rev. Al Sharpton implored white America to “get your knee off our necks” at the memorial of George Floyd, his words were carried by news outlets across the globe. Meanwhile in the U.S., the Rev. William J. Barber II

A Call for $1 Trillion in Federal Aid to Prevent Further Racial, Economic Divisions

Without immediate aid to states, cities and towns in the next coronavirus relief bill, the structural inequalities – which have exposed systemic racism, led to disproportionate deaths and economic catastrophe among black communities – will worsen. WASHINGTON – Hakeem Jeffries

PFAW: GOP “More Afraid of Police Unions than Police Killings”

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Following today’s unveiling of a Senate Republican police reform bill, PFAW President Ben Jealous and Senior Director of Outreach and Public Engagement Diallo Brooks released the following statements: “The message in this ‘police reform’ bill is crystal clear: Republicans

The Future of Law Enforcement in North Carolina

The Future of Law Enforcement in North Carolina The recent protests demanding change in our current law enforcement policies to end systemic racism and over policing are bearing fruit. Just this last week, Raleigh Mayor Mary Ann Baldwin and Police

Juneteenth Celebration: Recommitting to the Work of Justice

About this event Join Team NC to celebrate Juneteenth, reflect on and talk our current moment special guests NC Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley, Superior Court Judge Lora Cubbage, District Court Judge Ashleigh Parker Dunston and Gov. Cooper’s Chief

Courts and Chief Justices Around the Country Echo Chief Justice Beasley’s Call

I wanted to make sure you saw this article from the Wall Street Journal that was published over the weekend. I have been overwhelmed with the response to my recent comments from judicial officials all across the country. I am

Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) Introduces the Right to PROTEST Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) introduced the Right to Protect Real Objectors Taking Exception to Systemic Transgressions (PROTEST) Act, to protect Americans exercising their right to protest from overly hostile conduct from law enforcement. Adams’ bill would make

Police Unions Are One of the Biggest Obstacles to Transforming Policing

Protesters and community organizers are increasingly calling for defunding and disbanding the police as a way to end police violence. Advocates argue that moderate reforms like enhanced training and greater community oversight have failed to curb police violence and misconduct. But there’s a

Can’t Stay Home, Can’t Keep Curfew: People Experiencing Homelessness Caught in Pandemic

People experiencing homelessness in the United States—already at heightened risk and with fewer resources due to the pandemic—now face even greater challenges as a result of the both the violence sweeping many city streets and the curfews many are imposing

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