Volume Volume 125 123 No. No.120–22
www.afro.com
August 6, 2016 - August 6, 2016, The Afro-American A1 $2.00
$1.00
AUGUST 6, 2016 - AUGUST 12, 2016
Inside Voting Rights in Black-and-White By José Felipé Anderson
A5
Here Comes the Gold
Washington • Minority
Journalists Host Joint Convention in D.C.
B1
Baltimore • Korryn Gaines
New Book Explores Gains and Losses Under Obama
AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda
Venus Williams of the United States returns a ball to her sister Serena Williams, during a practice session on the central court ahead of the upcoming 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Venus has four gold medals, the same as her sister, Serena.
By James Bentley AFRO Associate Editor jbentely@afro.com
670k That’s how many people have liked the AFRO Facebook page. Join last week’s 2,200 new fans and become part of the family.
Through Aug. 6 The National Urban League is holding its annual conference in Baltimore. This year’s theme is, “Save Our Cities: Education, Jobs + Justice.” National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial said in a statement, “’Save Our Cities: Education, Jobs + Justice,’ the theme of the 2016 National Urban League Conference campaign represents an unprecedented mobilization to influence public policy through grassroots political action.” Leading up to the convention, The Greater Baltimore Urban League
Photo by Kamau High
From left: Julie Lenzer, director of entrepreneurship at the Economic Development Administration, Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Nikita Haysbert, daughter of Raymond V. Haysbert Sr., Marc H. Morial,, National Urban League president and CEO and J. Howard Henderson president and CEO, Greater Baltimore Urban League cut the ribbon at the opening of the Raymond V. Haysbert Sr. Entrepreneurship Center in Baltimore.
opened the Raymond V. Haysbert Sr. Entrepreneurship Center at its headquarters. Congressman Chris Van Hollen and Nikita Haysbert, Raymond’s daughter, were among those in attendance. J. Howard Henderson, president and CEO, Greater Baltimore Urban League, said in a statement, “The Greater Baltimore Urban League is excited to serve as the local host for the 2016 annual conference. The 2016 conference will provide unparalleled opportunities for local Baltimore community members, business leaders and our youth to engage with leaders throughout the country.” The four-day event at Continued on A3
Compiled by Amina Georgie Special to the AFRO
Join Host Sean Yoes Monday-Friday 5-7 p.m. on 88.9 WEAA FM, the Voice of the Community. 17
2
In 1938, theAFRO wrote a five part series about the importance of the National Urban League (NUL) to the United States. As the 2016 National Urban League Conference begins in Baltimore, here are excerpts from the series. Improved Health During 1930 [The Urban League] was responsible for getting proper representation on White House conference on child health and protection. It secured representation in connection with
President Hoover’s Emergency Employment Committee – thus assuring the consideration of colored workers in public works and other governmental projects creating work for the unemployed. Gave Fellowships During the school year, 1937-38, the league maintained two fellowships for social work training. These were held by William Y. Bell Jr., a graduate of Northwestern University, assigned to the University of Pittsburgh and John Caswell Smith Jr., graduate of Continued on A3
Louisiana has become the first state to equate attacking police officers to a hate crime. On Aug. 1, more than 400 new laws went into effecting including Act 184 which is also
Photo by Danita Delaney
Steve Harvey
commonly known as the Blue Lives Matter Bill. This bill creates additional penalties for targeting police officers firefighters and EMS personnel. In Louisiana, a person convicted of a hate crime can have an additional five years added to their sentence and a
Continued on A3
Obama Shortens Terms for 214 Prisoners; 67 had Life sentence By Josh Lederman The Associated Press
Harvey Hosts Neighborhood Awards
Steve Harvey hosted the 2016 State Farm Neighborhood Awards from July 22-24 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. The weekend consisted of an art gallery, a singing competition, a concert on July 22, a nominee luncheon on July 23, the awards show and a beach party on July 24. See more pictures on A5.
By Jerica Deck Special to The AFRO
President Barack Obama on Aug. 3 cut short the sentences of 214 federal inmates, including 67 life sentences, in what the White House called the largest batch of commutations on a single day in more than a century. Almost all the prisoners were serving time for nonviolent crimes related to cocaine, methamphetamine or other drugs, although a few were charged with firearms violations related
Copyright © 2016 by the Afro-American Company
Continued on A3
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File
afro.com
Your History • Your Community • Your News
Louisiana’s Blue Lives Matter Bill Makes Assaulting Police a Hate Crime
Listen to Afro’s “First Edition”
47105 21847
D1
Urban League Convention Aims to ‘Save Our Cities’
C1
7
Killed, 5 Year-Old Wounded, After Standoff with Police
President Obama cut short sentences for mainly non-violent crimes related to drugs.