September, 2023 - Greater Diversity News

Greater Diversity News October 2023

Co-Publishers
Peter & Kathy Grear;
Contributing Writer
David Pickett, Demetrius Haddock, Afi Osakwe and Tracey Morrison
Senior Graphic Designer

Lessons for Today From the Overlooked Stories of Black Teachers During the Segregated Civil Rights Era

My grandmother’s name was Mrs. Zola Jackson. As one of the handful of Black teachers in Mississippi during the Jim Crow era of racially segregated public schools, she faced a daunting challenge in providing a first-class education to students considered

Karen Carter Richards Elected as NNPA Fund Chair after Serving 2 Successful Terms as NNPA Chair

After serving two successful terms as the Chair of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) trade organization from 2019 to 2023, her peers have now elected her chair of the National Newspaper Publishers Association Fund (NNPAF). While the NNPA is

Study Finds Hospitals Don’t Always Have an Open Door Policy, Particularly When it Comes to Race

New data has exposed a concerning trend in American healthcare: a stark racial divide in patient populations. Contrary to claims of open access for all, dozens of hospitals exhibit significant racial exclusivity, a report from the independent healthcare think tank

Senator Dianne Feinstein, Stalwart Advocate for Gun Control and Bipartisanship, Dies at 90

Senator Dianne Feinstein of California, a stalwart advocate for gun control measures and a figure known for seeking bipartisan cooperation during her extensive tenure in the Senate, has died at 90. Feinstein, renowned as the Senate’s elder stateswoman, the lengthiest-serving

Electrocution, Jailing Political Enemies, and Indictments: The Rantings of a Madman, President, or Both?

Former President Donald Trump found himself at the center of a whirlwind of legal and political controversies as he appeared in a New York courtroom on Monday, Oct. 2, for a civil trial. Letitia James, the attorney general of New

Far-Right Republicans Push for Controversial Spending Cuts Impacting Vulnerable Communities

In a scathing op-ed, seasoned political strategist and former Democratic National Committee Chair Donna Brazile has accused far-right Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives of pursuing drastic and merciless reductions in programs that disproportionately support Black Americans and low-income

Biden: ‘I Make No Apologies for Efforts to Support HBCUs’

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris held a roundtable discussion inside the Roosevelt Room of the White House with the Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The event included key figures like Dr. Tony

New Pew Research Center Study Reveals Black Americans’ Concerns About Negative News Coverage and Calls for Informed Journalism

As discussions surrounding fair and informed journalism continue, it remains clear that many Black Americans are eager to see changes in news coverage that accurately reflect their experiences and perspectives. That perspective became more pronounced with the release of a

Support Swells for North Carolina Justice Amidst Partisan Investigation

The Advancement Project and the NAACP have rallied behind North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls, the lone Black justice on the bench, as she faces a litany of Republican attacks threatening her seat on the state’s highest court. “We

Fulton County DA Fani Willis Addresses Racial Threats Amid Trump Prosecution

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis revealed that she has become desensitized to racial slurs hurled at her due to her prosecution of former President Donald Trump. Speaking at the Revolt World Festival in Atlanta, Willis candidly stated, “I’ve been

Unite with Power to the Patients in PSA Demanding Healthcare Price Transparency

“Today, we confront a healthcare system that’s been rigged against all of us. Hospitals force patients to sign contracts for services without ever showing us actual prices,” the artists said in a joint statement.” Hip-hop legends Fat Joe, Rick Ross,

Biases Against Black-Sounding First Names Can Lead to Discrimination in Hiring

Because names are among the first things you learn about someone, they can influence first impressions. That this is particularly true for names associated with Black people came to light in 2004 with the release of a study that found

IN THE STATES: Despite MAGA Extremism, President Biden, Vice President Harris and Democrats Deliver

Yesterday, President Biden approved additional funding for recovery and disaster assistance efforts in Hawaii, following the devastating wildfire in Lahaina, Maui. In Hawaii: Hawaii News Now: President Biden approves additional disaster aid for Lahaina response, recovery In Hawaii: KHON: Biden

Hollywood Labor Dispute Nears End as Writers Guild Reaches Tentative Deal

Hollywood’s protracted labor conflict has taken a significant step towards resolution. The Writers Guild of America, representing over 11,000 screenwriters, said the 146-day strike might end with the announcement of a tentative agreement on Sunday, Sept. 24. The forthcoming days

America’s Precarious Crossroads: A Nation on the Brink

In the crucible of American politics, chaos, legal wrangling, and disturbing incidents continue to carve deep fault lines into the nation’s conscience. These troubling events unveil a stark reality: the United States stands at a precipice, facing an uncertain future.

Biden-Harris Administration Launches White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention to Tackle Epidemic

Gun violence remains a pressing concern for the United States, with over 500 mass shootings and a reported estimate of 25,000 victims in 2023 alone. In response, the Biden-Harris administration has announced a significant step forward in curbing this crisis.

We Are Thrilled That North Carolina Will Finally Launch Medicaid Expansion on December 1

RALEIGH (September 25, 2023) – The North Carolina Justice Center is thrilled that our state has, at long last, set a December 1 launch date for Medicaid expansion. After 10 long years, over 600,000 North Carolinians are now finally guaranteed

Rising Number of ‘Predatory’ Academic Journals Undermines Research and Public Trust in Scholarship

Taxpayers fund a lot of university research in the U.S., and these findings published in scholarly journals often produce major breakthroughs in medicine, vehicle safety, food safety, criminal justice, human rights and other topics that benefit the public at large.

Fayetteville Hairstylist Hosting 3-Day Exotic Hair Odyssey Extravaganza – GDN Exclusive

Innovator! Artistic! Perfectionist! Those three words flashed on the television screen in the waiting area at Marcus Doss Salon. Fayetteville’s well-known hairstylist, Marcus Doss, is putting those three words into action with his Exotic Hair Odyssey 2023 Extravaganza! Ball,

Book Censorship on the Rise in U.S. Libraries, ALA Reports a 20% Increase in Challenges in 2023

The assault on Black history and that of other minority groups in the U.S. have ramped up with the recent banning of books. The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) has released alarming preliminary data indicating a significant

Historic Confirmation of Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown Jr. Overcomes Blockade, Signals Milestone for Representation

With a rare display of bipartisan support in the Senate on Wednesday night, Air Force Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown Jr. overcame a protracted obstruction by Alabama Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville to win confirmation as only the second Black chairman of

How Local Police Could Help Prevent Another January 6th-Style Insurrection

Some of the most prominent members of the Proud Boys, a far-right militant group that functions more like a street gang than a militia, have been sentenced to long terms in federal prison for their roles in the Jan. 6,

Congressional Black Caucus Chair Steven Horsford Honored with 2023 NNPA Leadership Award

Congressional Black Caucus Chair Steven Horsford (D-Nevada) said his commitment to marginalized communities, Black America, and his Democratic colleagues have always been unwavering. The 2023 National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Leadership Award recipient’s leadership and tireless efforts in a divided

Biden-⁠Harris Administration Secures Voluntary Commitments from More Companies to Manage AI Risks

President Biden and Vice President Harris announced they have taken decisive action to limit Artificial Intelligence (AI) risks and maximize advantages. The White House said it is working on regulations for AI and partnering with top AI companies to improve responsible AI development.

Dorrough Music Continues to Add to Dallas Music Legacy

Dorrough Music, more commonly known as Dorrough, has been making moves in the local music scene since his high school days. Since his initial explosion onto the local scene he has since had chart topping singles, studio albums and a

Slavery, Civil Rights, and the Labor Movement

Reflecting on the 129th Labor Day brings significance to the larger meaning behind the holiday. While the world looks different from the first day commemorating the nation’s workers, the United States still values property and profits over individuals. Black-led movements

White House Urges Bipartisanship Amid Looming Shutdown Threat

As the specter of a government shutdown looms, the White House has starkly warned against the potentially devastating consequences of partisan deadlock. While President Biden has emphasized America’s global leadership at the United Nations in New York, extreme House Republicans

Senior Biden Advisor Says White House is ‘Taking Names and Kicking Butt’

In the heart of the bustling city of Columbia, South Carolina, Stephen K. Benjamin’s journey began, rooted in a legacy that traversed from the Southern soil to the urban landscape of New York City. Born and raised in the vibrant

Tale of Two Underground Railroad Communities

Christopher J. Miller September is International Underground Railroad Month. This proclamation began in the State of Maryland in 2019, and now more than 11 States officially celebrate one of the most significant eras in U.S. history. With the signing

Secretaries of Education, Agriculture Call on Governors to Equitably Fund Land-Grant HBCUs

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack today sent letters to 16 governors emphasizing the over $12 billion disparity in funding between land-grant Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their non-HBCU land-grant peers

Racial Trauma Has Profound Mental Health Consequence – A Black Clinical Psychologist Explains

Since European expansion into the Americas, white people have demonized Black people and portrayed them as undesirable, violent and hypersexual. Originally, the intent of this demonization was to legitimize the conquest and sale of African people. One consequence of this

$2.2 Billion in Financial Relief for Farmers, Ranchers, and Landowners Who Faced Discrimination

On July 7, 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the opening of the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP). This program, established through Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act, provides $2.2 billion in financial assistance to eligible farmers,

2023 NNPA National Leadership Awards Reception Celebrates Excellence in Black Leadership

Washington, D.C. – September 18, 2023 – The highly anticipated 2023 NNPA National Leadership Awards Reception is set to take place on September 22, 2023, at the Marriott Marquis, located at 901 Massachusetts Avenue, NW DC 20001. The annual event,

A Bridge Builder for a New Era: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries

A distinguished figure rises above the ranks in the heart of a bustling and very divided United States Congress. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), unanimously elected as House Democratic Leader in January 2023, occupies a unique place in American political history.

ALC Co-Chairs Have Earned Respect of Peers, Constituents

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) 52nd Annual Legislative Conference again plans to be an event of tremendous significance this year, largely thanks to the distinguished leadership of its co-chairs, Rep. Stacey E. Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands) and Sen. Raphael Warnock

California Congressional Black Caucus Launches Statewide Reparations Education Campaign

A recent poll by the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies (IGS) revealed that California residents have differing opinions on cash reparations for Black people. In response, the state’s Congressional Black Caucus intends to launch a campaign across the state to

HBCU Transformation Project Receives $124 Million Boost to Propel Systemic Change

To help fortify historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) nationwide, the HBCU Transformation Project has garnered a substantial $124 million investment from Blue Meridian Partners. The infusion of capital elevates the total investment in the project to an impressive $184

60th Anniversary of Birmingham Church Bombing Unites Families of Victims and Perpetrators

Four innocent young girls getting ready for Sunday services died when the Ku Klux Klan detonated a devastating bomb inside Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church sixty years ago. Today, as the nation commemorates the somber 60th anniversary of that fateful

Help Wanted: Reporters to Cover Beyoncé and Taylor Swift

An intriguing debate over specialized journalism in an ever-evolving media landscape over Gannett’s decision to seek reporters to cover music superstars Beyoncé and Taylor Swift has ignited. America’s largest newspaper chain has placed a help wanted advertisement for two

Allen Media Group and AP to Host Discussion on Race and Democracy

Allen Media Group’s multimedia platform, theGrio, in collaboration with The Associated Press (AP), is set to present what organizers called a thought-provoking panel discussion titled “Race and Democracy: The Facts and the Fury.” The event will be broadcast on theGrio

Students Win NPR Podcast Award

Out of thousands of entries, our kids have won NPR’s student podcast competition. Students in our Restorative Justice in Schools program crafted the winning podcast which sends the message that climate change hurts Black communities and people of color the most. The

Alarming Surge in Student Loan Scams Targets Americans; Biden’s SAVE Plan and Disproportionate Impact on Black Borrowers

Amidst the impending resumption of student loan payments in October, scammers are intensifying their efforts to exploit borrowers, with more than 350,000 student-loan-related robocalls reported in the last two weeks alone, according to Transaction Network Services (TNS), a leading authority

Kristen Welker Set to Become New Host of ‘Meet the Press’

Chuck Todd hosted his final episode of “Meet the Press” on NBC, handing the reigns over to White House Correspondent Kristen Welker, who will make history as the first Black person to host the iconic program. Todd announced earlier this

Trump’s Latest Controversial Rally Stokes Concerns for America’s Future

Former President Donald Trump has once again grabbed the national spotlight with a fiery rally in South Dakota, where he unveiled a disturbing vision of America’s future if his fervent supporters catapult him back into the White House. In a

Voluntary Commitments from More Artificial Intelligence Companies to Manage the Risks Posed by AI

President Biden and Vice President Harris announced they have taken decisive action to limit Artificial Intelligence (AI) risks and maximize advantages. The White House said it is working on regulations for AI and partnering with top AI companies to improve

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