Medline Commits $1 Million to Organizations Advancing Social Justice for Black Americans
Donations will support the United Negro College Fund, NAACP, National Urban League and Black Lives Matter
Medline today announced it is committing more than $1 million to organizations advancing diversity, inclusion and equality across the nation. Recipients include the following four organizations, each of which are dedicated to promoting racial equality, social justice and access to education:
An Update from Council Member Davis
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo issued a new mask order, mandating businesses to require wearing of face masks, starting today.
Metamorphosis by Melissa Aytenfisu at HMAAC
The Houston Museum of African American Culture (HMAAC) is delighted to present Metamorphosis by Melissa Aytenfisu. Melissa is originally from Quebec, Canada but is currently a 3rd Ward, Houston resident who has become deeply entrenched with the life that moves around her neighborhood. The work she creates is a reflection of her community and the relationship she has with it. From drawing, painting to make-shift print-making, her aesthetic is the true storyteller.
America's Elite Colleges Can Lead on Reparations by Partnering with Black Colleges
As the list of higher education institutions apologizing for their role in the slave trade grows it is time investing in historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) institutions is prioritized. Democratic presidential candidates increasingly acknowledge the need to study the question of reparations. Ta-Nehisi Coates fastidiously establishes "The Case for Reparations" in a 2014 Atlantic Magazine article and environmental justice expert, Mustafa Ali, advocates reinvestment in underserved communities to ensure a just transition to a clean energy economy.
Persistent depression might increase heart disease risk for women with HIV
Women with HIV who experience persistently high levels of stress or depression have a significantly greater risk of plaque building up in their arteries than those who rarely or never report these symptoms, a new study finds.
Study: Tax Refund Checks are Largest in these Texas Places
Tax Day has been moved to July 15th this year to accommodate filers during the COVID-19 pandemic. To find the places where people are generating the largest average refund checks, SmartAsset has released a study analyzing tax refunds in Texas.
Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher Co-sponsors Legislation to Establish Juneteenth as a Federal Holiday
Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) announced that she joined Houston Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18) as an original co-sponsor of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, H.R. 7232, to designate June 19 as federal holiday each year. On June 19, 1865, Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger announced in Galveston, Texas that “all slaves are free” and that there would be “an absolute equality of personal rights.”
Candidate Applications for 2020 General Election Being Accepted: Monday, July 20 To Monday, Aug. 17
In accordance with the Texas Election Code, the City will hold a General and Special Election on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The positions on the ballot for the General Election are for Mayor, At-Large Position 1 and At-Large Position 2. And, the Special Election will include a proposition providing for or against the adoption of the firefighters’ and police officers’ civil service law.
"Black Lives Matter" Street Mural On Sandra Bland Parkway to Be Completed Today By City of Prairie View, PVAMU Students
Prairie View Mayor David Allen chose to have the permanent mural in place by Juneteenth.
The City of Prairie View is on schedule to have its “Black Lives Matter” street mural completed today. Several Prairie View A&M University students—undergraduate and graduate—joined faculty and staff from the School of Architecture’s Fabrication Center to bring Mayor David Allen’s idea to reality.
Houston Community College Hit With $100 Million Dollar Racial Discrimination Class Action Suit Filed On Behalf of Black Employees on Juneteenth
A $100 million racial discrimination lawsuit has been filed in a Houston, Texas state district court on behalf of hundreds of Black present and former employees of the Houston Community College (“HCC”). The suit was intentionally filed Friday, June 19, 2020– “Juneteenth—the anniversary date that Black slaves in Texas learned they had been freed from slavery two years earlier by President Abraham Lincoln.
eBay Employees Charge with Cyberstalking: Agressively Attacking Online Publisher
Six former eBay employees are accused of participating in an “ag- gressive cyberstalking campaign” against a Natick couple. US Attorney Andrew E. Lelling said the victims are the editor and publisher of an online newsletter that covers e-commerce companies, including eBay.
Obama To Appear At First Joint Biden Fundraiser
Former President Barack Obama will appear with his former vice president and the presumptive Democratic nominee, Joe Biden, in a joint fundraiser next week. The fundraiser, which will take place on June 23rd and is billed by the Biden campaign as a “virtual grassroots event,” will be the first time the two have appeared together since Mr. Obama endorsed Biden in April.
Supreme Court Delivers A Huge Win for LGBTQ Rights
The Supreme Court delivered a huge win for LGBTQ rights by ruling that federal civil rights law protects gay, lesbian and transgender workers.
Harris County Clerk Launches New Public Service Announcement “Vote Early and Stay Safe”
The Texas Supreme Court ruled that a lack of immunity to COVID may be considered as a factor in determining whether in-person voting creates a “likelihood of injury” to the voter’s health, but it cannot be the sole factor. It is the responsibility of voters to make their own health determinations, and the County Clerk’s Office does not have the authority or ability to question the voter’s judgment. If a voter applies for a mail ballot and checks one of the four categories of eligibility, the County Clerk’s Office will send you a ballot.
12-Year-Old Sensation Keedron Bryant Signs With Warner Records for "I Just Wanna Live" to Celebrate Juneteenth
Just two weeks after posting a riveting and emotional performance of original song, “I JUST WANNA LIVE,” in response to long-standing systemic social injustice and as a plea for change, 12-year-old Florida-native Keedron Bryant signs with Warner Records for the official single release.
Senators Markey, Smith, Booker, and Harris To Introduce Legislation to Make Juneteenth a Federal Holiday
Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.). and Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.) today announced they will introduce the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, legislation to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. “Juneteenth”, observed on June 19, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and is also known as “Emancipation Day”, “Jubilee Day”, and “Juneteenth Independence Day”.
4 Tips for Planning a Summer Family Vacation
As stay-at-home orders ease, many families are eager to get out of the house and hit the road for a summer trip. However, vacation will most likely look different this year as families looking to get away may stay closer to home and take extra precautions.
The Resistance Revival Chorus Release "Ella's Song" in honor of Juneteenth and Ella Baker
The Resistance Revival Chorus have released a video for their powerful recording of "Ella's Song" in honor of Juneteenth and celebrating Ella Baker. The video includes footage and photographs of the recent protests that have taken place over George Floyd's death. The video is a photo based treatment using photos from photographers in the chorus including Brooke Williams, Kisha Bari, Dina Rudeen and Ginny Suss. “Ella’s Song” will be available tomorrow as part of Bandcamp’s Juneteenth campaign, as well as the Righteous Babe Store. This recording will also be made available for streaming and download on all DSPs on July 2nd via Righteous Babe Records.The RRC will donate 100% of the proceeds for the year to the Movement For Black Lives.
AmeriHealth Caritas Names Karen Dale as New Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer
Appointment will further cultivate diverse perspectives to drive a more inclusive business culture
Advancing its ongoing commitment to linking diversity, equity, and inclusion with performance excellence, AmeriHealth Caritas, a national leader in Medicaid managed care and other health care solutions for those most in need, announced today that Karen Dale has been named to the newly created position of Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer (CDEIO). She will report directly to CEO and Chairman, Paul A. Tufano, and will join the CEO’s Executive Council.
Why Black Wealth Matters in White America
… and what blacks must learn to survive this new economy
A person wearing a suit and tie Description automatically generatedThe general population, otherwise known as the 99%, have a love/hate relationship with wealth. They resent those who have it, but spend their lives attempting to get it for themselves, all the while self-sabotaging that effort in ways that are avoidable if they knew the rules of the rich. Yes, the rich have rules. The reason most individuals, and certainly the majority of Black Americans, never accumulate any substantial savings is because they do not understand the nature of money and how it works.
