D9 mag 2018

9 D Mag

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Promoting Black Excellence by keeping African Americans “Educated, Informed and Engaged”

2018-19 Edition

A GUIDE TO EMPOWERING BLACK AMERICA Civil Rights, Community Service, Economics, Education, Health Care, Justice, Mentoring, Politics and Technology www.d9-mag.com

D9 Mag | 2018-19 Edition

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DRIVE YOUR CAREER

AN AUTOZONER ALWAYS EMBRACES DIVERSITY Our commitment to diversity and inclusion makes AutoZone a great place to work!

We welcome each individual and we seek to build teams with diverse thoughts, skills, knowledge and backgrounds.

To learn more about career opportunities at our stores, distribution centers, Corporate Store Support Center and subsidiaries, visit AutoZone.com/Careers and see where your drive can take you! Š2018 AutoZone, Inc. All rights reserved. AutoZone and AutoZone & Design are registered marks of AutoZone IP LLC or one of its affiliates.

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Table of Contents 7 AFRICAN AMERICAN

20 EDUCATION

36 POLITICAL

Intitatives designed to transform the African American Community

Initiatives from The Education Post, United Negro College Fund, National Urban League, Edutopia, The Mind Trust, The Kresge Foundation, The Ford Foundation, U.S. Dept. of Education, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, and Gates Foundation

Intitatives from Color of Change, Congressional Black Caucus, National Democratic Redistricting Committee, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Black America’s Political Action Committee, Organizing for Action, Voting While Black, and Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies

INITIATIVES

8 CIVIL RIGHTS INITIATIVES

Initiatives from NAACP, ACLU, Black Lives Matters, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, National Urban League, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, SCLC, Southern Poverty Law Center, and Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

12 COMMUNITY

SERVICE INITIATIVES Initiatives from United Way of America, American Diabetes Association, American Lung Association, March of Dimes, Feeding America, Habitat for Humanity, Children’s Defense Fund, American Red Cross, JDRF, and YMCA of USA

16 ECONOMIC INITIATIVES

Initiatives from The Executive Leadership Council, Black Enterprise, Alliance for Board Diversity, The Raising of America, US Congress, The Black Business School, National Black Chamber of Commerce, US Black Chambers, Savoy Magazine, and National Minority Supplier Development Council

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INITIATIVES

24 HEALTH CARE

INITIATIVES

INITIATIVES

40 TECHNOLOGY

Initiatives from Henry Ford Health System, Morehouse School of Medicine, Surgeon General, Affordable Care Act, Catholic Health Initiatives, Kaiser Permanente, National Association of Health Services Executives, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Ascension Health, and Blue Cross Blue Shield

Intitatives from Information Technology Senior Management Forum, BDPA, Career Communications Group, Blacks in Technology, Bleeker, American Association for Access, Equity, and Diversity, Global Leardership Forum, National Society of Black Engineers, and Congressional Black Caucus Tech 2020

INITIATIVES

28 JUSTICE INITIATIVES 43 Intitatives from Children’s Defense Fund, AARP, Black Alliance for Justice Immigration, Black Lives Matter, Color of Change, The Sentencing Project, Equal Justice Initiative, Ban the Box, Just Leadership USA, and American Legislative Exchange Council

32 MENTORING INITIATIVES

Intitatives from Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, The National Mentoring Partnership, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, 100 Black Men Coalition, National Mentoring Resource Center, YouthBuild, Girls Inc, and Boy Scouts of America

AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERS Leaders in the African American Community

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LEADERS IN CIVIL RIGHTS African American Leaders in Civil Rights

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LEADERS IN COMMUNITY SERVICE African American Leaders in Community Service

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Table of Contents 54

LEADERS IN POLITICS African American Leaders in Politics

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LEADERS IN TECHNOLOGY

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African American Leaders in Technology

LEADERS IN ECONOMICS African American Leaders in Economics

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LEADERS IN EDUCATION African American Leaders in Education

ADVERTISEMENTS

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2 AutoZone 3 Ball State University 10 Light of The World Christian Church 11 Engaging Solutions 14 World Wide Origins 18 Dr. Leonard Scott 19 Hampton University 63 Steward Speaker Series 64 Omega Psi Phi Fraternity

LEADERS IN HEALTH CARE African American Leaders in Health Care

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LEADERS IN JUSTICE African American Leaders in Justice

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ARTICLES 6 Letter from the Editors 15 Black In America Documentary 22 Education Reform and the Failure to Fix Inequality 23 Keeping Students in School So They Succeed 26 Congressional Black Congress Foundation Avoice Project 27 National Democratic Redistricting Committee 30 The Movement for Black Lives 31 4 Ways to Reverse the School-toPrison Pipeline 34 My Brother’s Keeper Alliance 35 My Brother’s Keeper Alliance 38 Barack Obama Foundation 39 Barack Obama Presidential Library 42 NewME Business Accelerator 44 African Americans in the Boardroom 48 Why America needs Black-Owned Banks 52 SheaMoisture Owner Buys Essence 56 Diversity in the Technology Sector 57 National Events for African Americans 58-59 The Relevance and Redefining of Du Bois “Talented Tenth” 60 Black Girls Code 61 What is Black Enough?

62 We Need To Talk About The Significance Of Princess Shuri And Seeing A Black Girl In STEM

LEADERS IN MENTORING African American Leaders in Mentoring

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LETTER THE EDITORS w w w . d 9 - m a g . c FROM om Greetings!

We are humbled and honored to present to you the 2018-19 edition of the D9Mag. We want to first of all thank God from whom all blessings flow.

Promoting Black Excellence by keeping African Americans “Educated, Informed and Engaged”

D9 Mag explores 9 Initiatives (D9) to transform life for African Americans in America: 1. Civil Rights 2. Community Service 3. Economics 4. Education 5. Health 6. Justice 7. Mentoring 8. Politics 9. Technology

EDITORS: Michael Falker and Daniel Pierson Advertisers: In the event the D9Mag should fail to print or publish, in whole or part, any advertisement accepted by the the publisher or in the event of an error or omission, the liability of the publication and/or its’ agents shall be solely limited to crediting advertisers for pro portionate space in which any error occurs or to rerun in the next issue.

O m ega O n e C o n n ec t I n c .

Po st O f f i c e Box 4 0 9 5 3 In d i a n a p o l i s, I N 4 6 2 4 0 Fo r a d v er t i si n g o r r a t es, s en d em a i l t o : q u e m f a l k @g m a i l . c o m

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D9 Mag | 2018-19 Edition

The publication connects on a personal level with members of the African American community. Our coverage is about you—your lives, your challenges and your aspirations, through the lenses of 9 key initiatives (D9) to improve life for African Americans: Civil Rights, Community Service, Economics, Education, Health, Justice, Mentoring, Politics and Technology. Specifically we look at the factors for positive change and the leaders that are driving change.

We view the D9 as the “Talented Tenth” popularized by W. E. B. Du Bois. The Talented Tenth is a term that designated a leadership class of African Americans in the early 20th century. We hope that our expertise in presenting this Magazine will empower you to make the best choices when it comes to improving your family, your career, your business, your community and our country.

We also presented information on organizations that support the type of reform required to transform the African American community: Black Lives Matter, NAACP, UNCF, Big Brothers Big Sisters, AARP, Affordable Care Act, the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. Their work proves there is not one road nor one person to learn African Americans to success, there are many. The solution is complex!

Our mission is to educate, inform and uplift the people of the African American community. We hope that you look, listen and participate in our upcoming events.

Let us unite; we are a powerful force with great strength and buying power. We ask for more involvement and support on a local and national level, there is much more work to do on all levels. Lastly we want to sincerely thank the advertisers and supporters of our magazine. We ask that you support and patronize them.

In Collective Unity!

Michael Falker and Daniel Pierson Omega One Connect Inc.

African American Initiatives A Guide to Empowering Black America

CIVIL RIGHTS

COMMUNITY SERVICE

ECONOMIC

EDUCATION

HEALTH CARE

JUSTICE

MENTORING

POLITICS

TECHNOLOGY

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Civil Rights Initiatives The State of Black America®, the National Urban League’s seminal annual publication now in its 41st edition, has become one of the most highly-anticipated benchmarks and sources for thought leadership around racial equality in America across economics, employment, education, health, housing, criminal justice and civic participation. Each edition of the State of Black America contains thoughtful commentary and insightful analysis from leading figures and thought leaders in politics, the corporate arena, NGOs, academia and popular culture.

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The State of Black America also includes the National Equality Index™, a quantitative tool for tracking racial equality in America, now in its 13th edition of the Black-White Index and its eighth edition of the Hispanic-White Index. This year’s report features the fourth edition of the Metropolitan Area Equality Index, ranking roughly 70 metro areas based on unemployment and income inequality for both Blacks and Hispanics.

New to the 2017 State of Black America is the “Solutions Circle,” a special feature that shines a well-deserved spotlight on the innovative, solutions-oriented programming offered by select National Urban League affiliates. For more information please visit www.stateofblackamerica.org.

ADVOCACY & POLICY ACTION Effective action requires a diverse approach. Presented below are tried and true solutions that are being applied to affect change in an effort to implement civil rights initiatives in America to improve the plight of African Americans.

These solutions do not represent all efforts by the organizations listed.

Black Lives Matter generally engages in direct action tactics that make people uncomfortable enough that they must address the issue.

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BLM has been known to build power through protest and rallies. BLM has also staged die-ins and held one during the 2015 Twin Cities Marathon.

“Hands up!” sign displayed at a Ferguson protest Political slogans used during demonstrations include the eponymous “Black Lives Matter”, “Hands up, don’t shoot”, “I can’t breathe”, “White silence is violence”, “No justice, no peace”, and “Is my son next?”, among others. 3 Ella Baker Center for Human Rights organizes with Black, Brown, and low-income people to shift resources away from prisons and punishment, and towards opportunities that make our communities safe, healthy, and strong. 4 The NAACP LDF submits Comments About

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Proposed Changes to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure That May Undermine the Ability of Civil Rights Plaintiffs.

LDF is deeply concerned that these amendments, if adopted, would significantly undercut the ability of civil rights plaintiffs to obtain relief through the federal courts. We have submitted written comments to the Advisory Committee where we highlighted the particularly important role that the discovery process plays in civil rights actions because in many cases most, if not all, of the information needed to substantiate a plaintiff ’s claim is in the defendant’s possession. 5 Nine National Civil Rights Groups Urge Congress to Oppose Tax Bill Policy: Civil Rights: Dear Members of Congress, On behalf of the National Urban

League and the undersigned leaders of national civil rights organizations we write to urge rejection of the proposed tax legislation now before you. By giving huge tax cuts to wealthy Americans and profitable corporations—cuts that will inevitably be paid for with funding cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, education and other vital public services—this tax plan is bad for America generally, but especially bad for communities of color.

National Urban League, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, NAACP, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, UnidosUS, National Action Network, League of United Latin American Citizens

Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s Media and Telecom Project works hard to ensure that communications policies benefit communities of color that lead to greater opportunities in ownership.

The project also addresses issues of digital equity/

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Civil Rights Initiatives

SOURCES 1.

The Southern Poverty Law Center is the premier U.S. non-profit organization monitoring the activities of domestic hate groups and other extremists.9 The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the civil and human rights of all persons in the United States. 10

3.

4.

5.

Rainbow PUSH Coalition: rainbowpush.org

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Southern Christian Leadership Conference: nationalsclc.org

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Southern Poverty Law Center: splcenter.org

American Civil Liberties Union: aclu.org

Black Lives Matters: blacklivesmatters.com

Ella Baker Center for Human Rights: ellabakercenter.org

NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund: naacpldf.org

10. Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights: civilrights.org

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In July of 2017, The Southern Christian Leadership Conference announced a partnership with metro Atlanta entertainment professionals. “We are going to pass the torch; because the story must be told, and we are going to use the influence of music.�

To do so the SCLC created a new division to reach out to teens and young adults, through the power of music and entertainment, to directly address current social and civil rights issues. In its first initiative, the Justice HipHop Music Project, funds are being raised to develop a

record label to produce and promote multi-cultural artists creating music with a positive influence, mixed with elements of jazz, blues, gospel, soul, neo-soul, R&B, and rap. 8

7.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People: naacp.org

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inclusion and issues related to other regulatory/legislative issues. 7

National Urban League: nul.iamempowered.com

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Community Service Initiatives Over 320 Child, Youth Organizations Call for Immediate Passage of Dream Act. The organizations are writing to express our strong support for the immediate passage of the bipartisan Dream Act of 2017 (S.1615/H.R. 3440), which would provide lawful status and a clear path to citizenship to certain immigrant youth and young adults who came to the United States as children, including recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. As organizations concerned with the emotional, psychological, physical, educational, and economic wellbeing of children and youth, we are united in our commitment to ensuring that all children in the United States have opportunities for educational and economic success. Swift Congressional action on the Dream Act is imperative following the President’s decision to terminate DACA, an action that will uproot the lives of more than 800,000 Dreamers who have been able to access work authorization and protection from deportation through the program.

ADVOCACY & POLICY ACTION Effective action requires a diverse approach. Presented below are tried and true solutions that are being applied to affect change in an effort to implement civil rights initiatives in America to improve the plight of African Americans. These solutions do not represent all efforts by the organizations listed.

United Way’s focus is to identify and resolve pressing community issues and to make measurable changes in communities through partnerships with schools, government agencies, 12

businesses, organized labor, financial institutions, community development corporations, voluntary and neighborhood associations, the faith community, and others. The main areas include education, income, and health. 1 American Diabetes Association advocates around the country work to increase funding to prevent, treat and cure diabetes; to improve access to health care; and to eliminate discrimination against people with diabetes at school, work or elsewhere in their lives. 2 The American Lung Association fights for policies that improve lung health, reduce tobacco use and clean up air pollution.

Our public policy positions on lung health and other issues direct our public policy advocacy efforts. Read more about our positions. 3

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In 2017, the March of Dimes convened the Prematurity Campaign Collaborative to address the persistent health inequities and rising rate of pre-term birth in the United States. Through the Collaborative, hundreds of organizations and experts work together on the shared challenge to “Achieve Equity and Demonstrated Improvements in Pre-term Birth.” 4 In America, we have enough food to feed every man, woman and child, yet 72 billion pounds of safe, edible food goes to waste each year.

In fact, an estimated 25 – 40 percent of food grown, processed and transported in the U.S. will never be consumed. And more food reaches landfills and incinerators than any other single material in municipal solid waste.

Feeding America works with manufacturers, distributors, retailers, food service companies and farmers to gather food before it goes to waste. 5 Habitat for Humanity builds houses — and through those houses, the strength, stability and self-reliance that families need in order to achieve a better life. That better life is our primary goal. So when we build houses, we also build bridges between people of diverse backgrounds, we build paths to more connected communities, we build ways for all people to come together and share in the creation of a new world.

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An overarching Children’s Defense Fund priority is to build a strong, effective successor generation of young servant leaders to carry on the struggle for freedom and justice. Over

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Community Service Initiatives drill down into the pain points for people living with Type 1 Diabetes, demanding better coverage for the disease under Medicare and taking on insurers for access to affordable insulin. 9

References

United Way of America: unitedway.org

6.

Habitat for Humanity: habitat.org

2.

American Diabetes Association: diabetes.org

7.

Children’s Defense Fund: childrensdefense.org

3.

American Lung Association: lung.org

8.

American Red Cross: redcross.org

4.

March of Dimes: marchofdimes.org

9.

JDRF: jdrf.org

5.

Feeding America feedingamerica.org

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1.

Each year, American Red Cross responds to more than 70,000 disasters, including house or apartment fires (making up the majority), hurricanes, floods,

JDRF sends hundreds of adults and young people living with T1D to Capitol Hill, year after year to share their stories and lobby for funds to the disease. And we

The YMCA aims to bring about meaningful change, individuals need ongoing encouragement and tools.

We’re here day-in and day-out to provide the resources our communities need to address the most pressing social issues: child welfare, education, employment, housing and substance abuse. We work to make sure every child, family and community has what they need to achieve their best. 10

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earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents, explosions and other natural and man-made disasters. 8

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the last five years, CDF has trained 5,000 next generation leaders, at least half of them Black males, to ensure a robust youth leadership pipeline and ongoing structures for service and advocacy in communities across America. Through the Young Advocate Leadership Training (YALT®) program, CDF provides a beginner, intermediate, and advanced training series to equip the next generation’s leaders with the skills and support needed to take national, state and local action to replace the cradle to prison pipeline with a pipeline to college, productive work, and successful adulthood. 7

10. YMCA of USA: ymca.net

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Black in America is a multi-part series of documentaries hosted by reporter Soledad O'Brien on CNN. The series is about various issues regarding blacks (African-Americans) which includes panel discussions on issues facing the black community, and a look at the culture of black families in America, men and women. The program has since launched BlackInAmerica.com, an online community and social network for black Americans who want to address the issues and challenges of Black America.

- unemployment, income, wealth, educational attainment, home ownership and foreclosures. The episode is told through experiences of members of the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in New Jersey, it explores how the institution is helping its 7,000 parishioners survive the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. The church's community development corporation struggles to help desperate homeowners save their homes from foreclosure and the unemployed find work. The youth ministry assists students with financial aid applications. Following the documentary, a town hall discussion moderated by O’Brien features founder and senior pastor Bishop T.D. Jakes, clinical social worker and public relations executive Terrie Williams, syndicated columnist Michelle Singletary, FBCLG senior pastor Rev. Dr. DeForest Soaries, pollster Cornell Belcher and others.

Black in America: Tomorrow’s Leaders: This episode focuses on solutions aimed at developing African-American leaders of tomorrow. John Rice’s Management Leadership for Tomorrow program has been instrumental in establishing black professionals in positions of power and influence in America’s largest companies. O’Brien also reports on programs aimed at creating opportunities for the next generation of youth leadership. Malaak Compton-Rock’s Journey for Change offers teenagers from inner-city schools the opportunity to see the world and develop self-confidence; and Steve Perry, Ed.D.’s, Capital Preparatory Magnet School creates opportunities for leadership and academic excellence by preparing young, black students for college with “tough love.”

Who is Black in America? The series focuses on colorism and racial identity. In today’s United States, is being black determined by the color of your skin, by your family, by what society says or something else? The documentary follows the story of 2 young Philadelphia poets as they explore their racial identity through workshops conducted by their mentor, Perry "Vision" Divirgilio of Philly Youth Poetry Movement. The program examines how color affects identity. Scholar Yaba Blay analyzes the nuances of racial identity and the influences of skin color.

Almighty Debt: This episode focuses on every leading indicator D9 Mag | 2018-19 Edition

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Black in America: Today’s Pioneers: This episode focuses on how community organizers across the country are creating progress and improvements at a local level. From a Chicago barbershop where African-American men are encouraged to seek routine medical check-ups; to Tyler Perry, an actor, director and playwright, whose life’s journey has led him from homelessness to becoming a filmmaker and television producer who is creating opportunities for others; these are the programs and progress of people working in ways large and small to make a difference.

Black in America: The New Promised Land – Silicon Valley: While much of the country struggles to emerge from a recession, California’s Silicon Valley is booming, and technology companies like Facebook, Skype, and Apple are seeing their valuations soar.

CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O’Brien reports that the ownership of this digital bloom is mostly young, white, and male. For her fourth Black in America documentary, O’Brien asks why, according to industry analyst CB Insights, less than one percent of all venture capital money went to digital startups with African-American founders in 2010 – and she profiles a unique, technology-focused “accelerator” developed to help AfricanAmerican digital entrepreneurs secure funding to establish their businesses.

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The Black Man: Through the personal stories of graduates of the 1968 class of Little Rock Central High School and their sons and grandsons, CNN explores the state of Black men in America. The network dispels the myths and examines the disparities between blacks and whites in education, career, economic achievement and the devastating rates of Black male incarceration.

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The Black Woman and Family: An exploration of the varied experiences of black women and families investigates the disturbing statistics of single parenthood, racial disparities between students and the devastating toll of STDs/HIV/AIDS. CNN also reports on the progress of Black women in the workplace and the status of the Black middle class.

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Economic Initiatives

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Progress of the African-American Community During the Obama Administration Black spending power topped $1.2 trillion dollars in 2016, according to African-Americans: Demographic and Consumer Spending Trends, 10th Edition. The ability to leverage these dollars is widely accepted as a key to building black wealth. However, when it comes to improving the economic health of black communities, does buying black really matter? At least one black family says it absolutely does, but it’s easier said than done..

President Obama believes we need to restore security and opportunity for working Americans with the fundamental values that made our economy the strongest in the world—making sure everyone does their fair share, everyone gets a fair shake, and hard work and responsibility are rewarded. That’s why President Obama has worked to improve the lives of all Americans, including African Americans, by providing economic and educational opportunities, improving health care coverage, and working to ensure that the criminal justice system is applied fairly to all citizens. Although much work remains to be done, African Americans have made enormous strides in many of these areas during this Administration. From the archives of President Barack Obama, https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov

ADVOCACY & POLICY ACTION Effective action requires a diverse approach. Presented below are tried and true solutions that are being applied to affect change in an effort to implement civil rights initiatives in America to improve the plight of African Americans. These solutions do not represent all efforts by the organizations listed.

Established in 1996, the Detroit Development Fund aims to “improve the quality of life for residents in underserved Detroit neighborhoods.” A 501(c) 16

(3) and certified as a CDFI, DDF provides term loans and lines of credit to small businesses, small contractors, and for-profit and nonprofit affordable housing developers. It currently manages $23 million in loan capital. 1 Since 2004, the Alliance for Board Diversity (ABD) has been striving to enhance shareholder value by promoting inclusion of women and minorities on corporate boards. During this time ABD has celebrated the accomplishments and movement forward, but the fact remains that progress in this vein has been slow.

Some progress has been made for African Americans in securing/holding Fortune 500 board seats. The bulk of the African American male increases occurred within the Fortune 100. There has been an increase in the Fortune 500 of African American/Black

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women board members by 18.4 percent since 2012, while the total number of African American male board members in the Fortune 500 had only an increase of 1 percent.

African Americans/Blacks appear to have the highest rate of individuals serving on multiple boards— indicating that companies are going to the same individuals rather than expanding the pool of African American candidates for board membership. 3 The best pathway out of poverty is a well-paying job.

To get back to prerecession employment levels, we must create 5.6 million new jobs.

At the current pace, however, we will not get there until July 2018. To kick-start job growth, the federal government should invest in job-creation strategies such as rebuilding our infrastructure; developing renewable energy sources;

renovating abandoned housing; and making other common-sense investments that create jobs, revitalize neighborhoods, and boost our national economy. 4

The 2015 federal minimum wage of $7.25 / hour comes to $15,080 annually for full time work, 52 weeks a year. The federal poverty threshold for a family of three is $20,090 (and try living on that!).

If the minimum wage were increased to $10.10/ hour (lower in real dollars, btw, than the minimum wage of 1968), 20% of America’s children would benefit. 4

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Economic Initiatives very competitive world.

There is nothing more important to the success of your business than the ability to sell a product.

This is the lifeblood of any organization.

The Black Business School is hoping to fill this void by offering practical courses taught by a wide variety of experts, all designed to ensure that you have the ability to create your own opportunities. 6

References

6.

The Black Business School: theblackbusinessschool.com

7.

National Black Chamber of Commerce: nationalbcc.org

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US Black Chambers: usblackchamber.org

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Savoy Magazine: savoynetwork.com

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The Executive Leadership Council (ELC): elcinfo.com

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What’s missing in many American business schools is a commitment to training students on the fundamentals of running a business. While they might teach basics and theory, students often graduate with a ton of debt and no real skill to help them survive in a

4.

5.

Alliance for Board Diversity: theabd.org

The Raising of America: raisingofamerica.org

US Congress congress.gov

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3.

Black Enterprise: blackenterprise.com

10. National Minority Supplier Development Council: nmsdc.org

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With female full-time workers earning just 78 cents for every $1 earned by men, action must be taken to ensure equal pay for equal work. Closing the gender wage gap would cut poverty in half for working women and their families and add nearly half a trillion dollars to the nation’s gross domestic product. Passing the Paycheck Fairness Act to hold employers accountable for discriminatory salary practices would be a key first step. 5

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Education Initiatives “If we want America to lead in the 21st century, nothing is more important than giving everyone the best education possible — from the day they start preschool to the day they start their career.” MAKING COLLEGE MORE AFFORDABLE: President Obama has expanded support to help more students afford college, while calling for a shared responsibility in tackling rising costs. PREPARING OUR KIDS FOR SUCCESS: Educating every American student to graduate from high school prepared for college and for a career is a national imperative. HIGHER EDUCATION: Higher education is not a luxury. Earning a post-secondary degree or credential is a prerequisite for 21st century jobs, and one that everyone should be able to afford. SUPPORTING GREAT TEACHERS: We need great educators to teach our children the math and science skills that will enable them to compete for jobs in the future. HELPING EARLY LEARNERS: A child’s first years offer a critically important window of opportunity to develop skills that determine their success. RACE TO THE TOP: 22 million K-12 students are benefitting from President Obama’s historic reforms. CONNECTED INITIATIVE: ConnectED empowers teachers with the best technology and the training to make the most of it, and empowers students through individualized learning and rich, digital content. From the archives of President Barack Obama, https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov

ADVOCACY & POLICY ACTION Effective action requires a diverse approach. Presented below are tried and true solutions that are being applied to affect change in an effort to implement civil rights initiatives in America to improve the plight of African Americans. These solutions do not represent all efforts by the organizations listed.

The Mind Trust supports individuals and teams as

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they develop Innovation Network Schools.

Innovation Network Schools are public schools made possible by recent state laws which allow school districts to convert, open new, or restart existing schools into new, autonomous schools with their own 501(c)(3) boards. These schools are exempt from most district practices and have “full operational autonomy” under state law.

Innovation Network Schools combine the freedoms and

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flexibilities of successful autonomous schools, with the financial support, and services of a district school.

Further, Innovation Network Schools gain access to a school building at little or no cost. 1 Parents are among the best advocates in education reform. They should use their voices to advocate for equitable policies and practices in the following ways: • Hold districts, school boards and schools accountable for progress among all students • Monitor and engage their children’s progress in school to ensure they are on track • Become involved with local grassroots organizations that advocate for students • Write to their members of Congress about key educational

issues, such as the ones highlighted in this report • Use tools, such as the U.S. Department of Education’s Parent Checklist, to help ask the tough questions that ensure their child is getting the best education possible 2,3,4) Education has always been of utmost importance to the Black community — from desegregating K-12 schools and colleges, to managing historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), the African American community has always championed equality of opportunity and access for students because, in this country, it has long been the key to social mobility and economic independence. 2,3,4) Project-based Learning is a dynamic approach to teaching in which students explore real-world problems and challenges.

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Education Initiatives teacher education to focus on K-12 student improvement on state assessments, job placement and retention, and teacher graduate satisfaction with their preparation, and satisfaction by teacher’s principals.

2. Replace TEACH grant References

6.

The Kresge Foundation: kresge.org

2.

United Negro College Fund: uncf.org

7.

The Ford Foundation: fordfoundation.org

3.

National Urban League: nul.iamempowered.com

8.

U.S. Dept. of Education: ed.gov

4.

Edutopia: edutopia.org

9.

National Alliance for Public Charter Schools: publiccharters.org

5.

The Mind Trust themindtrust.org

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The absence of highly skilled teachers is often blamed

through an education reform program. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan gave the overview of the “Our Future, Our Teachers,” plan: 1. Overhaul current institutional and state reporting requirements on

The Education Post: educationpost.org

A M E R I C A N

learning. In addition, students develop confidence and self-direction as they move through both teambased and independent work. 4

for the inadequacies of the American educational system. The Obama administration is providing 185 million dollars to attract highly skilled teachers

1.

A F R I C A N

Research indicates that students are more likely to retain the knowledge gained through this approach far more readily than through traditional textbook-centered

program with Presidential Teaching Fellowships.

3. Provide $40 million for the Augustus Hawkins MinorityServing Institutions Centers of Excellence, to improve teacher preparation programs in these institutions. 8

10. Gates Foundation: gatesfoundation.org

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Education Reform and the Failure to Fix Inequality in America

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An abridged history of the misleading connection between classroom opportunity and economic mobility. By JULIE A. MUJIC of the Atlantic

As the U.S. continues to reckon with a widening income gap between the wealthiest Americans and marginalized communities, politicians and advocates have often cited education access as one of the greater contributors—and potential solutions—to the problem.

Improving educational opportunities to shrink income disparities depends on increasing the resources available to school districts.

But funding alone is not enough to equalize access to a quality education. Schools need new and innovative approaches to turn resources into student results that beget success in the world beyond the classroom. A look back at historical challenges to education access demonstrates how far the U.S. has come, and highlights the obstacles facing students today compared with those of prior generations.

Building on other education-related legislation throughout the 20th century, Congress took a significant step forward in 1974 with the passage of the Equal Educational Opportunities Act, which required schools to accommodate bilingual students, among other measures. In most states today, instead of shutting out non-English speaking students, K-12 schools and universities now offer programs teaching English as a second language, and hire reading and language specialists to work with students to get them past the language barrier.

In a sense, improved access to education came as a result of a more inclusive definition of citizenship in the last century.

African Americans, however, have been at the center of the most contentious challenges to that inclusivity. In 1899, Cumming v.

Richmond County Board of Education built upon the impact of Plessy v. Ferguson three years prior by upholding a community’s right to choose not to provide public education for black students. Parents of black children who were refused education by their local school boards were still required to pay taxes to support public education for the rest of the district, and were told to move to a district that ran a segregated school if they wanted their children to be educated.

Decades later during the civil-rights era, many Americans realized that access to education was an easy measuring stick to judge true 22

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progress for marginalized communities. There is still a 20-point gap in graduation rates between African American and white students.

Today, African American enrollment at universities is steadily increasing, but there is still a 20-point gap in graduation rates between African American and white students. Despite Brown v.

Board of Education, segregation is reemerging in K-12 schools, as white schools get whiter and black schools in poor, inner-city neighborhoods continue to suffer a marked achievement gap.

Scholars even point to lack of access to quality preschool programs as one indicator of later struggles. In many districts, black students in K-12 schools are also still suspended at rates disproportionate to their numbers, and college-educated blacks experienced a sharper drop in net worth and income than college-educated whites in the last decade.

Recognizing this, the government attempted to address the impact of class on education; then-President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in 1965, which was designed to alleviate access to education issues for low-income students, and was reauthorized by President George W. Bush in 2002 as No Child Left Behind. Yet many Americans—teachers, parents, administrators, and politicians alike—debate whether access has improved and whether the role of class can be addressed without addressing race as well.

The skyrocketing costs of higher education have served as their own restriction on access—which brings us to the issue of studentloan debt. As of 2013, nearly 70 percent of graduating college seniors had student-loan debt, averaging around $28,000 each. Many universities have struggled to keep up with shifting expectations in the last two decades, during which students have demanded increased luxuries on campus and skill-based professional programs.

The U.S. has made headway in educational opportunities with each generation, but improved access has thus far not served as an immediate salve for deep-seated societal problems. While resources for schools remain scarce in the current economic environment, traditionally disadvantaged populations continue to suffer the consequences.

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Keeping Students in School So They Succeed 2018 The Atlantic Philanthropies

Some 3.5 million U.S. school children are unfairly suspended every year due to unfair and excessively punitive school discipline policies. This increases their chances of dropping out and ending up on the pathway to prison. The harshest of disciplinary actions—including arrests and expulsions—most often target students of color. To address the negative impact of these

WHAT WE LEARNED Connecting key stakeholders and grantees can accelerate movement for the cause, especially when foundations add their voice to the mix to champion new ideas and policy alternatives.

Outside pressure from grassroots advocacy organizations can be most effective when foundations develop strategies to help those on the inside of the system understand the problem and formulate action.

As long as there is agreement on the goal, it’s okay for partners to pursue diverse strategies that draw on each organization’s strengths. This is an especially successful approach for solving complex problems that no single public- or private-sector player and accomplish on its own.

As a result of the work Atlantic has supported: Awareness that school discipline practices need to change has spread throughout cities, states and the federal government. There is greater understanding among the public and educators that suspensions can harm students’ long-term outcomes and the nation’s overall high school graduation rate. Increased federal support for school discipline policy reform is helping schools implement alternatives to harsh zero tolerance policies. State and local school districts are changing policies to improve school climate and school discipline.

NEW APPROACHES MODELED Some school districts have successfully implemented restorative practices that focus on mediation and agreement rather than punishment. This approach aims to keep students in school and to create a safe environments.

WATCH: Harsh school policies and practices and an increased role of law enforcement in schools have combined to create a school-to-prison pipeline, in which out-of-school suspensions, expulsions, and school-based arrests are increasingly used to deal with student misbehavior, especially for minor incidents.

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practices, Atlantic invested $47 million to support nationwide reform efforts to keep vulnerable children in school and on track to graduation and college.

STUDENTS SPEAK OUT Young people have been protesting the destructive impact of zero tolerance policies by taking part in activities organized by groups such as Padres & Jóvenes Unidos in Denver, Youth United for Change in Philadelphia, VOYCE in Chicago and the Urban Youth Collaborative in New York City.

A M E R I C A N

BETTER RESULTS Oakland and Baltimore are among the school districts successfully demonstrating how a combination of full-service community schools and school-based health centers can reduce harmful suspensions.

A F R I C A N

ZEROING OUT THE PROBLEM Here are ways schools and communities worked to rollback unfairly punitive “zero tolerance” policies:

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Health Care Initiatives Trends in Healthcare

A F R I C A N

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I N I T I A T I V E S

In 2015, President Obama announced the launch of the Precision Medicine Initiative to accelerate a new era of medicine that delivers the right treatment at the right time to the right person, taking into account individuals’ health history, genes, environments, and lifestyles.

Precision medicine is already transforming the way diseases like cancer and mental health conditions are treated. Molecular testing for cancer patients lets physicians and patients select treatments that improve chances of survival and reduce adverse effects. Genetic and other information can help identify the best depression drug for each patient and speed effective treatment, a critical advancement as patients often do not respond to the first drug they are prescribed. But more is needed. The potential for precision medicine to improve care and speed the development of new treatments has only just begun to be tapped. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/precision-medicine

ADVOCACY & POLICY ACTION Effective action requires a diverse approach. Presented below are tried and true solutions that are being applied to affect change in an effort to implement civil rights initiatives in America to improve the plight of African Americans. These solutions do not represent all efforts by the organizations listed.

Henry Ford Hospital’s health care research focuses on disease screening, prevention and management, health outcomes, disparities in care, and health economics. This group 24

of researchers collaborates with members of the Henry Ford Medical Group as well as researchers in other states to enhance the quality of health care nationally.

These studies are housed in the departments of Public Health Sciences, the Center for Health Policy and Health Services Research and the Institute of Multicultural Health.

Henry Ford Hospital scientists and physicians participate in and lead many clinical trials which help us understand how to best treat diseases. 1 For nearly a decade, students at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) have traveled to Haiti to provide medical care to those in rural areas of the Caribbean nation.

Since 2008, MSM has sent students and staff to Haiti, making MSM the first HBCU medical school to conduct

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medical mission trips. In July, seven M.D. students and three physicians flew to Haiti to take part in a week-long medical mission.

While in Haiti, the students were able to take advantage of opportunities rarely available to first-year medical students. They were able to learn from hands-on experience treating patients, and also had the chance to serve people who may not have adequate access to quality healthcare. 2 As the Nation’s Doctor, the Surgeon General provides Americans with the best scientific information available on how to improve their health and reduce the risk of illness and injury. In 2010, the Affordable Care Act designated the Surgeon General as the Chair of the National Prevention Council, which provides coordination and leadership among 20

executive departments with respect to prevention, wellness, and health promotion activities.

The office periodically issues health warnings. Perhaps the best known example of this is the Surgeon General’s warning label that has been present on all packages of American tobacco cigarettes since 1966. A similar health warning has appeared on alcoholic beverages labels since 1988. 3 .

Affordable Care Act (ACA) The comprehensive health care reform law enacted in March 2010.

The law has 3 primary goals: 1. Make affordable health insurance available to more people. The law provides consumers with subsidies (“premium tax credits”) that lower costs for households with incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level.

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Health Care Initiatives improved access and coverage, adequate funding, and availability of mental health professionals. 5 The National Association of Health Services Executives purpose is to ensure greater participation of minority References

groups in the health field.

It has provided a vehicle for Blacks to effectively participate in the design, direction and delivery of quality health care to all people. 7

Henry Ford Health System: henryford.com

6.

Kaiser Permanente: healthy. kaiserpermanente.org

2.

Morehouse School of Medicine: msm.edu

7.

National Association of Health Services Executives: nahse.org

3.

Surgeon General: surgeongeneral.gov

8.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): hhs.gov

4.

Affordable Care Act: healthcare.gov

9.

Ascension Health: ascension.org

A F R I C A N

1.

Immediate Actions for 2017 Protect access and coverage for more than 20 million Americans who gained insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act from efforts to amend, repeal or replace the law.​​ Protect the Medicaid program from efforts to reduce overall coverage and benefits as well as efforts to lessen federal support through state block grants or per capita caps.

Address the mental health crisis in America through

5.

Catholic Health Initiatives: catholichealthinitiatives.org

10. Blue Cross Blue Shield: bcbs.com

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Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) has an important role to play in advocating for public policies that improve the health of individuals and communities, with particular concern for persons who are most

vulnerable.

A M E R I C A N

2. Expand the Medicaid program to cover all adults with income below 138% of the federal poverty level.

(Not all states have expanded their Medicaid programs.)

3. Support innovative medical care delivery methods designed to lower the costs of health care generally. 4

avoiceonline.org The CBCF Avoice Virtual Library is a premier source of information about historical and contemporary African-American policy issues important to researchers, academics, educators and students. Avoice captures and preserves the rich history of African-American political and legislative contributions for future generations.

Criminal Justice

Origins of the CBC

Voting Rights Act

Discover the history of CBC activism on criminal justice issues including police brutality, drug trafficking, sentencing and prison reform.

Trace the history of the CBC with an in-depth look at exactly how, when and why the Caucus was initially formed.

Learn how the CBC has spent years fighting tirelessly to protect the voting rights of underrepresented people.

MLK, Jr. Holiday Bill

Anti-Apartheid Movement

Women of the CBC

Look back at how the CBC led the charge for the creation of a federal holiday honoring the civil rights hero.

Read about the important role CBC members played in dismantling apartheid in South Africa.

Read about the important role that African American women played in the advancement of healthcare.

Environmental Justice

Education Policy

Fair Housing

Learn how members of the CBC have been at the forefront of the Environmental Justice Movement.

Explore CBC involvement in U.S. education policy and Elementary and Secondary Education Act milestones.

Learn about the leadership of African-American legislators in the effort to eradicate discriminatory housing policies and practices.

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The National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC) is a U.S. organization that focuses on redistricting reform and is affiliated with the Democratic Party. The organization is chaired by the 82nd Attorney General of the United States Eric H. Holder, Jr. Kelly Ward serves as NDRC Executive Director.

In state after state, Republican legislatures and governors used this power over the process to ensure permanent Republican majorities and diminish the voting impact of Democrats and minorities.

The result was immediate: in 2012, 1.4 million more Americans voted for Democrats for Congress, but Republicans won a 33-seat majority in Congress. And the problem hasn’t gotten

policies don’t reflect the majority of voters, but because Republicans have rigged the system in their favor, voters are limited in their ability to do anything about it.

Here’s what we’re doing about it. The National Democratic Redistricting Committee, chaired by the 82nd Attorney General of the United States Eric H. Holder, Jr., is the firstever strategic hub for a comprehensive redistricting strategy.

With the support of former President Barack Obama, as well as key leaders around the country, the NDRC is attacking this problem from every angle to ensure the next round of redistricting is fair and that maps reflect the will of the voters.

Together, we will rebuild a democracy where voters pick their politicians—not the other way around.

With a four-part strategy focused on advancing legal action, mobilizing grassroots energy, supporting reforms, and winning targeted elections, we’re tackling the problem from every side. As each piece comes together, our comprehensive approach to redistricting will ensure that we can achieve a fairer process and fairer maps.

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How did we get here? In 2010, Republicans rode a midterm wave into power, winning state legislative and gubernatorial elections around the country. That gave them disproportional control over the nation’s redistricting process—where state leaders redraw congressional and state legislative lines following the nation’s Census to make sure districts include roughly the same number of people.

A M E R I C A N

The Problem: Since 2011, Republicans gerrymandered the country more aggressively than at any time in our history. The result? Your vote might not count the way you think it does.

These gerrymandered districts have had disastrous policy consequences, leading to some of the most right-wing legislation in decades both in Congress and at the state level, including assaults on women’s health, suppressing the vote for people of color, failing to address climate change, and refusing to stand up to the epidemic of gun violence. These

A F R I C A N

The NDRC and Organizing for Action (OFA) are launching a new partnership to provide grassroots support for restoring fairness to our electoral maps. Working together, we will be engaging with activists and volunteers to help educate people about the problem and involve them in the process of fixing a badly rigged political system. With this new partnership, OFA and NDRC will join forces to reform the practice of allowing politicians to redraw our congressional and state legislative districts in ways that cater to political extremes and leave too many voters feeling as if they don’t have a voice. As former President Obama has said, “Politicians shouldn’t pick their voters; voters should pick their politicians.”

better. In 2016, despite winning fewer than half of all votes for Congress, Republicans again won a 33-seat majority. In battleground states like Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Ohio, Michigan and Virginia, the make-up of state legislatures are wildly different than the voting population.

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Justice Initiatives

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I N I T I A T I V E S

The Obama administration’s most important achievements in racial justice have, appropriately, concerned criminal justice. As the recent racial unrest sparked by police shootings has underscored, America’s criminal-justice system is at the core of racial division in the United States. African Americans and Hispanics are disproportionately victimized by both crime and criminal- law enforcement. Obama, with the full-throated support of his first attorney general, Eric Holder, has been a leader on criminal-justice reform. He signed into law the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, which reduced the disparity between sentences for crack and powder cocaine from 100-to-1 to 18-to-1. Obama was the first president to visit a federal prison. He directed the Justice Department to review the use of solitary confinement, leading to a 2016 guidance that reduces its use in the federal prison system, especially for juveniles and the mentally ill, and urges states to follow suit.

Under a clemency initiative, he has commuted the sentences of 944 people and pardoned 70 others, a substantial increase over most of his predecessors. From the archives of President Barack Obama, https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov

ADVOCACY & POLICY ACTION Effective action requires a diverse approach. Presented below are tried and true solutions that are being applied to affect change in an effort to implement civil rights initiatives in America to improve the plight of African Americans. These solutions do not represent all efforts by the organizations listed.

We know mass incarceration resulted from a mix of policy and practice choices among lawmakers and justice officials. Advocates are seeking to influence criminal justice policy at the state level in order to 28

advance reform. And this year, a substantial number of legislative measures were introduced to address mass incarceration. 6

JustLeadershipUSA (JLUSA) believes that America’s most challenging barrier to expansive, systemic criminal and juvenile justice reform is the absence of clear and consistent leadership by those who have been directly affected by our failed criminal justice policies.

Leading with Conviction (LwC) is an advanced leadership training for formerly incarcerated, mid-senior level leaders with a specific and proven track record in advocacy

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and community organizing. 9 The Ban the Box campaign was started by All of Us or None, a national civil rights

movement of formerlyincarcerated people and our families. We started the campaign in 2004, after a series of Peace and Justice Community Summits identified job and housing discrimination as huge barriers to our successfully returning to our communities after jail or prison. 8 The Black Lives Matter Global Network is a chapter-based, memberled organization whose

mission is to build local power and to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. 4 Color Of Change is building a new, effective strategy for changing the rules society lives by, and ending the injustices Black people face. Some news stations are singling out Black people — unfairly and disproportionately focusing their crime reporting on Black suspects, and inaccurately exaggerating the proportion of Black people involved in crime. They are reinforcing stereotypes and biases that have serious consequences for Black people in everyday life. They can and must do better. 5 The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) formed a new partnership to prioritize

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Justice Initiatives incarcerated for possessing or selling drugs of all types. 6

References

Children’s Defense Fund (CDF): childrensdefense.org

6.

The Sentencing Project: sentencingproject.org

2.

AARP: aarp.org

7.

Equal Justice Initiative: eji.org

3.

Black Alliance for Justice Immigration: blackalliance.org

8.

Ban the Box: bantheboxcampaign.org

4.

Black Lives Matter Network: blacklivesmatter.com

9.

Just Leadership USA: justleadershipusa.org

5.

Color of Change: colorofchange.org

10. American Legislative Exchange Council: alec.org

A F R I C A N

1.

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Policy makers and criminal justice professionals should continue to significantly reduce the use of

incarceration for all drug types and eliminate the collateral consequences imposed on people with drug convictions. To address the harms caused by the more punitive response to past drug crises and by ongoing enforcement, ensure that people with felony drug convictions are not barred from federal benefits such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and federal student aid. Given the evidence that incarceration of drug users and sellers is not an effective remedy for substance use disorder, significantly reduce the number of people

A M E R I C A N

the prevention of overcriminalization, the reforming of mandatory minimum sentencing laws, the reduction of recidivism rates and the promotion of communitybased alternatives to lengthy jail stays for non-violent offenders.

ALEC and NBCSL also developed a shared statement of principles on criminal justice reform that will guide members’ efforts in state outreach and education. 10

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www.d9-mag.com We demand independent Black political power and Black selfdetermination in all areas of society.

We envision a remaking of the current U.S. political system in order to create a real democracy where Black people and all marginalized people can effectively exercise full political power.

A F R I C A N

A M E R I C A N

I N I T I A T I V E S

policy.m4bl.org

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4 WAYS TO REVERSE THE SCHOOL-TO-PRISON PIPELINE

By Ki’ara Montgomery of Virginia Commonwealth University

handle nonviolent offenses as it is a better opportunity to get to the root of the initial problem and change the behavior.

2: Enforce Less Police Punishment The presence of School Resource Officers (SROs) has greatly increased in recent years. Many students make their first contact with the criminal legal system because of interactions with SROs and typically because of nonviolent offenses. Less involvement from SROs in the discipline of students for nonviolent offenses has the possibility of lowering the chances of troubled students falling into a cycle of suspension and incarceration. If police are in schools, reducing the pipeline requires limiting the role of police to public safety, rather than enforcing school discipline.

This gave Destiny the opportunity to stand before a “justice panel” comprised of four of her peers who took the time to listen to her story and then determine how best to address the harm done. Destiny was able to reflect on her actions, apologize to her victims, and improve her community without instantly being criminalized because of one incident. Restorative justice has helped Lyons Community School reduce their suspension rate by more than 20%. Check out these promising ways to reduce or eliminate the school-to-prison pipeline.

1: Practice Restorative Justice Not only is restorative justice a way of holding students accountable for what they have done, but it also opens the door for positive reinforcement. Students like Destiny have the opportunity for reconciliation with those they may have harmed through their actions. Many schools have dramatically reduced their number of suspensions by using restorative justice tools to D9 Mag | 2018-19 Edition

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4: Place Less Emphasis on Standardized Tests When students’ primary measurement of success is determined by test scores, they may be likely to become disengaged from their education. Disengagement often leads to lower grades, disruptive behavior, and often dropping out. Preparing students to pass a test instead of preparing them to succeed in life could ultimately be preparing students for the school-to-prison pipeline.

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Destiny, then an eighth grader at Lyons Community School in Brooklyn, New York, was fortunate enough to be attending a school that saw a need for a change. When she got into an altercation with another student that resulted in her throwing her teacher’s jacket out of the classroom window, Destiny would likely have faced detention or suspension—had she been enrolled in a typical middle school. Destiny’s school handled the situation differently – through restorative justice.

A F R I C A N

The term “trauma-to-prison pipeline” (a.k.a. “school-to-prison pipeline“) is used to describe the increasing pattern of contacts between students and the juvenile and adult criminal justice system as a result of practices implemented by educational institutions.

This system leaves students as young as the age of four susceptible to suspension, detention, and other punishments that could lead to a life of incarceration and captivity.

3: Improve Staff-to-Student Ratio Suspension and incarceration are correlated; being removed from school increases a student’s chances of being incarcerated – and ultimately dropping out of school altogether. Virginia averages 13.2 students per teacher in elementary and secondary schools (the overall U.S. average is 15.5-to-1). This isn’t a bad starting point, but because of how crucial school counselors can be in a student’s life, improving the counselor-to-student ratio should also be a priority.

The American School Counselor Association recommends a ratio of 250-to-1, however during the 2013-14 school year, Virginia schools averaged 381-to-1.

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Mentoring Initiatives With every generation, our Nation has expanded the essential idea that no matter who you are or where you come from, America is a place where -- with hard work and perseverance -- you can make it if you try. Although obstacles and challenges along the way can be discouraging, the mentorship and support of others have always motivated our people to persevere -- even in the toughest of times.

Nobody succeeds on their own: each young person’s strength and resilience is fostered by those who have taught them they can do anything they put their mind to. Whether helping mentees study for a test, learn a new skill, or lift their heads up after a setback, mentors provide them the chance they need to move forward and set their sights even higher. And in helping mentees achieve their goals, mentors can inspire them to reach back and provide the same support to someone else in need of a mentor.

A F R I C A N

A M E R I C A N

I N I T I A T I V E S

From the archives of President Barack Obama, https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov

ADVOCACY & POLICY ACTION Effective action requires a diverse approach. Presented below are tried and true solutions that are being applied to affect change in an effort to implement civil rights initiatives in America to improve the plight of African Americans. These solutions do not represent all efforts by the organizations listed.

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) has 32

long supported mentoring programs, with mentoring appropriations totaling more than $769 million from FY 2008 to FY 2016. OJJDP’s mentoring work aims to both increase opportunities for youth to have mentors and improve the quality and impact of the mentoring they receive. Through its research, programmatic grants, training and technical assistance, and publications, OJJDP provides financial

incentives and national leadership to support the delivery of high quality

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mentoring to a diverse and growing population of youth. The OJJDP National Mentoring Resource Center has been developed as a key research and practice resource for the mentoring field.

As one of the primary supporters of youth mentoring at the federal level, OJJDP values partnerships with other federal agencies, mentoring programs, and research institutions as well as direct family and youth engagement in its mentoring initiatives.

OJJDP has also established

a Mentoring Subcommittee of the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to help advance mentoring collaboration across the federal government and develop deliverables in support of mentoring efforts. 1 Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is a non-profit organization whose goal is to help all children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with volunteer mentors.

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Mentoring Initiatives

References 1.

2.

Mentor (The National Mentoring Partnership): mentoring.org

3.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: bbbs.org

4.

7.

National Mentoring Resource Center (A program of OJJDP): nationalmentoringresourcecenter.org

8.

YouthBuild: youthbuild.org

9.

Girls Inc: girlsinc.org

Boys and Girls Clubs of America: bgca.org

10. Boy Scouts of America: scouting.org 5.

My Brother’s Keeper Alliance: mbkalliance.org

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The Mentoring Center is recognized nationally

We promote, develop, and implement the concept of mentoring as a vehicle to transform lives and effectively address the needs of youth of all backgrounds. TMC recognizes mentoring as a viable tool for youth development. In 2000, informed through our direct services after eight years of field testing models, TMC began specializing its technical assistance to organizations serving the highly at-risk youth population. Mentoring concepts are continually refined through research and field testing. We promote and communicate the concepts to others by sponsoring conferences, conducting training, and providing technical assistance and program development to mentoring agencies. 2

100 Black Men Coalition: 100blackmen.org

A M E R I C A N

Through the generous support of corporations, foundations, and donations, Big Brothers Big Sisters regularly participates in nationwide or local research opportunities. 3

as a leader in the field of mentoring.

6.

A F R I C A N

Our commitment to measurement, analysis, and improvement is so core to who we are that we have developed a unique, proprietary method of tracking the interactions between Bigs and Littles.

Known as the Agency Information Management system (or AIM), this performance management tool helps guide the decisions of our network of professionally trained staff members. Built to support Big Brothers Big Sisters, AIM provides the intelligence and data to continually improve our services to children.

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention: ojjdp.gov

A F R I C A N

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I N I T I A T I V E S

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My Brother’s Keeper Alliance by President Barak Obama.

Welcome to the White House. And thank you, Christian, for that outstanding introduction.

And thank you for cheering for the White Sox, which is the right thing to do. Like your parents and your teachers, I could not be prouder of you. I could not be prouder of the other young men who are here today. But just so we’re clear -- you're only excused for one day of school. And I'm assuming you’ve got your assignments with you so that you can catch up -- perhaps even on the flight back.

As Christian mentioned, I first met Christian about a year ago. I visited the Hyde Park Academy in Chicago, which is only about a mile from my house. And Christian was part of this program called “Becoming a Man.” It's a program that Mayor Rahm Emanuel introduced to me. And it helps young men who show a lot of potential but may have gotten in some trouble to stay on the right path.

They get help with schoolwork, but they also learn life skills like how to be a responsible citizen, and how to deal with life’s challenges, and how to manage frustrations in a constructive way, and how to set goals for themselves. And it works. One study found that, among young men who participate in the BAM program, arrests for violent crimes dropped 44 percent, and they were more likely to graduate from high school.

So as Christian mentioned, during my visit, they’re in a circle and I sat down in the circle, and we went around, led by their counselor, and guys talked about their lives, talked about their stories. They talked about what they were struggling with, and how they were trying to do the right thing, and how sometimes they didn’t always do the right thing. And when it was my turn, I explained to them that when I was their age I was a lot like them. I didn’t have a dad in the house. And I was angry about it, even though I didn’t necessarily realize it at the time. I made bad choices. I got high without always thinking about the harm that it could do. I didn’t always take school as seriously as I should have. I made excuses.

Sometimes I sold myself short.

And I remember when I was saying this -- Christian, you may remember this -- after I was finished, the guy sitting next to me said, “Are you talking about you?” I said, yes. And the point was 34

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I could see myself in these young men. And the only difference is that I grew up in an environment that was a little bit more forgiving, so when I made a mistake the consequences were not as severe. I had people who encouraged me -- not just my mom and grandparents, but wonderful teachers and community leaders -- and they’d push me to work hard and study hard and make the most of myself. And if I didn’t listen they said it again.

And if I didn’t listen they said it a third time. And they would give me second chances, and third chances. They never gave up on me, and so I didn’t give up on myself. told these young men my story then, and I repeat it now because I firmly believe that every child deserves the same chances that I had.

And that’s why we’re here today -- to do what we can, in this year of action, to give more young Americans the support they need to make good choices, and to be resilient, and to overcome obstacles, and achieve their dreams.

This is an issue of national importance -- it's as important as any issue that I work on. It's an issue that goes to the very heart of why I ran for President -- because if America stands for anything, it stands for the idea of opportunity for everybody; the notion that no matter who you are, or where you came from, or the circumstances into which you are born, if you work hard, if you take responsibility, then you can make it in this country. That's the core idea.

And that’s the idea behind everything that I’ll do this year, and for the rest of my presidency. Because at a time when the economy is growing, we’ve got to make sure that every American shares in that growth, not just a few. And that means guaranteeing every

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child in America has access to a world-class education. It means creating more jobs and empowering more workers with the skills they need to do those jobs. It means making sure that hard work pays off with wages you can live on and savings you can retire on and health care that you can count on. It means building more ladders of opportunity into the middle class for anybody who’s willing to work hard to climb them.

So let’s get going. Thank you. God bless you. God bless the United States of America.

In other words, broadening the horizons for our young men and giving them the tools they need to succeed will require a sustained effort from all of us. Parents will have to parent -- and turn off the television, and help with homework. Teachers will need to D9 Mag | 2018-19 Edition

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I N I T I A T I V E S

We will beat the odds. We need to give every child, no matter what they look like, where they live, the chance to reach their full potential. Because if we do -- if we help these wonderful young men become better husbands and fathers, and well-educated, hardworking, good citizens -- then not only will they contribute to the growth and prosperity of this country, but they will pass on those lessons on to their children, on to their grandchildren, will start a different cycle. And this country will be richer and stronger for it for generations to come.

A M E R I C A N

But the plain fact is there are some Americans who, in the aggregate, are consistently doing worse in our society -- groups that have had the odds stacked against them in unique ways that require unique solutions; groups who’ve seen fewer opportunities that have spanned generations. And by almost every measure, the group that is facing some of the most severe challenges in the 21st century in this country are boys and young men of color.

After months of conversation with a wide range of people, we’ve pulled together private philanthropies and businesses, mayors, state and local leaders, faith leaders, nonprofits, all who are committed to creating more pathways to success. And we’re committed to building on what works. And we call it “My Brother’s Keeper.”

Now, just to be clear -- “My Brother’s Keeper” is not some big, new government program. In my State of the Union address, I outlined the work that needs to be done for broad-based economic growth and opportunity for all Americans. We have manufacturing hubs, infrastructure spending -- I've been traveling around the country for the last several weeks talking about what we need to do to grow the economy and expand opportunity for everybody. And in the absence of some of those macroeconomic policies that create more good jobs and restore middle-class security, it’s going to be harder for everyone to make progress. And for the last four years, we’ve been working through initiatives like Promise Zones to help break down the structural barriers -- from lack of transportation to substandard schools -- that afflict some of this country’s most impoverished counties, and we’ll continue to promote these efforts in urban and rural counties alike.

So, in closing, let me just say this. None of this is going to be easy.

This is not a one-year proposition. It’s not a two-year proposition.

It's going to take time. We're dealing with complicated issues that run deep in our history, run deep in our society, and are entrenched in our minds. And addressing these issues will have to be a two-way bargain. Because no matter how much the community chips in, it’s ultimately going to be up to these young men and all the young men who are out there to step up and seize responsibility for their own lives.

Government and private sector and philanthropy and all the faith communities -- we all have a responsibility to help provide you the tools you need; we've got to help you knock down some of the barriers that you experience. That’s what we're here for. But you’ve got responsibilities, too.

A F R I C A N

Those are national issues. They have an impact on everybody. And the problem of stagnant wages and economic insecurity and stalled mobility are issues that affect all demographic groups all across the country. My administration’s policies -- from early childhood education to job training, to minimum wages -- are designed to give a hand up to everybody, every child, every American willing to work hard and take responsibility for their own success. That's the larger agenda.

do their part to make sure our kids don’t fall behind and that we're setting high expectations for those children and not giving up on them. Business leaders will need to create more mentorships and apprenticeships to show more young people what careers are out there. Tech leaders will need to open young eyes to fields like computer science and engineering. Faith leaders will need to help our young men develop the values and ethical framework that is the foundation for a good and productive life.

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Political Initiatives

A F R I C A N

A M E R I C A N

I N I T I A T I V E S

The National Democratic Redistricting Committee, chaired by the 82nd Attorney General of the United States Eric H. Holder, Jr., is the first-ever strategic hub for a comprehensive redistricting strategy. With the support of former President Barack Obama, as well as key leaders around the country, the NDRC is attacking this problem from every angle to ensure the next round of redistricting is fair and that maps reflect the will of the voters. Together, we will rebuild a democracy where voters pick their politicians—not the other way around.

With a four-part strategy focused on advancing legal action, mobilizing grassroots energy, supporting reforms, and winning targeted elections, we’re tackling the problem from every side. As each piece comes together, our comprehensive approach to redistricting will ensure that we can achieve a fairer process and fairer maps. 3 ADVOCACY & POLICY ACTION Effective action requires a diverse approach. Presented below are tried and true solutions that are being applied to affect change in an effort to implement civil rights initiatives in America to improve the plight of African Americans. These solutions do not represent all efforts by the organizations listed.

Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization.

We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around 36

us. As a national online force driven by over one million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America.

Our campaigns and initiatives win changes that matter. By designing strategies powerful enough to fight racism and injustice—in politics and culture, in the work place and the economy, in criminal justice and community life, and wherever they exist— we are changing both the written and unwritten rules of society. We mobilize our members to end practices and systems that unfairly hold Black people back, and champion solutions that move us all forward. 1 The CBC supports policies that ensure a more perfect union by expanding, not restricting, access to the

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ballot for all Americans.

- Restore the full protections of the Voting Rights Act. The actions taken by several states to restrict access to the ballot in the wake of the Shelby County decision only highlights the importance of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. It is the heart of this landmark civil rights legislation and it must be restored as an appropriate check on states that would otherwise disenfranchise minority voters. Additionally, the Department of Justice should aggressively enforce the remaining provisions of the Voting Rights Act and vigorously defend the law against constitutional challenges.

- Challenge attempts to disenfranchise voters. The Department of Justice is responsible for enforcing the law of the land, including the United States Constitution.

Specifically, the Attorney General has a duty to defend

the constitutionally protected rights of all Americans in a court of law. Attempts on the state level to block access to the ballot must be swiftly met with the full weight of the Department of Justice and its resources. To start, Attorney General Sessions should reverse the DOJ’s position in Texas NAACP v.

Steen.

- End modern-day poll taxes.

Voter identification laws are a solution in search of a problem. Countless studies show instances of credible voter fraud are so small they represent less than a 1 percent of the millions of ballots cast. Yet states requiring voter identification place an undue burden on eligible voters, particularly low-income individuals who lack the means to easily obtain a state identification card. Voter identification laws have been employed both historically and recently with the stated intent to disenfranchise minority

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Political Initiatives The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies is a non-partisan, non-profit public policy organization that supports elected

officials and policy experts who serve communities of color across the country.

The Joint Center now explores a range of public policy issues of concern to African-Americans, AAPIs, Latinos, and Native Americans. 8

References

5.

Black America’s Political Action Committee: bampac.org

6.

Organizing for Action: ofa.us

7.

Voting While Black: votingwhileblack.com

8.

Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies: jointcenter.org

working in our communities without the full rights of their citizenship. 2

Color of Change: colorofchange.org

2.

Congressional Black Caucus: cbc.house.gov

3.

National Democratic Redistricting Committee: democraticredistricting.com

A F R I C A N

1.

4.

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation: cbcfinc.org

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I N I T I A T I V E S

right to vote and creating incentives to help states bring their voter registration and election administration into the 21st Century. This is particularly important to elderly, disabled, and student voters. Additionally, the Department of Justice should aggressively enforce the voter registration requirements of the Help America Vote Act. - Restore the voting rights of ex-offenders. More than 6 million Americans are unable to vote because of a past criminal conviction. Of that population, almost 5 million are living and

A M E R I C A N

voters and they serve as an undemocratic barrier to the ballot.

- Incentivize automatic voter registration, online registration, same day registration, and expand the use of absentee ballots.

Instead of enacting needless policies that limit voter access, states should modernize their election registration and administration to make it easier for voters to cast their ballot. The federal government should play a proactive role by challenging laws that create barriers to the constitutionally protected

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OBAMA

FOUNDATION The mission of the Obama Foundation is to inspire and empower people to change their world.

From leaders who are already making an impact, to people who are interested in becoming more involved, but don’t know where to start, our goal is to make our programs accessible to anyone, anywhere. We’ll equip civic innovators, young leaders, and everyday citizens with the skills and tools they need to create change in their communities.

It’s a big job, and we’re just getting started. Learn about our first set of projects and join us in this experiment in citizenship for the 21st century.

FELLOWSHIP

SUMMIT

TRAINING DAYS

MY BROTHER’S KEEPER ALLIANCE

BARACK OBAMA

PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY

MORE THAN A MUSEUM WITH STORIES FROM THE PAST, WE WANT THIS TO BE A PLACE THAT HELPS ALL OF US TO BUILD OUR COLLECTIVE FUTURE. - President Obama, 2018 National Archives launches Barack Obama Library website including access to archived web and social media content.

The Barack Obama Presidential Library is the fourteenth library to become part of the Presidential Libraries system administered by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The Library will be built in Chicago’s Jackson Park and is expected to open to the public in 2021.

But you don’t have to wait until 2021 to access content related to the Obama administration. With the launch of ObamaLibrary.gov, the National Archives is pleased to provide access to: • • • • •

biographical information about the President and First Lady, an interactive timeline of key events, illustrated by documents, photos, and video from our holdings, multimedia galleries that provide a look inside the Obama presidency, and resources for research, and the Obama Administration’s WhiteHouse.gov websites and social media content.

In the coming years, additional content will be published on the website to inform and inspire audiences interested in the legacy of the Obama administration.

Presidential Libraries and Museums promote understanding of the presidency and the American experience. We preserve and provide access to historical materials, support research, and create interactive programs and exhibits that educate and inspire. More information about the Presidential Libraries and Museums is available on NARA’s main website, Archives.gov.

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Technology Initiatives

A F R I C A N

A M E R I C A N

I N I T I A T I V E S

AFRICAN AMERICAN INCLUSION PLANS

ADVOCACY & POLICY ACTION Effective action requires a diverse approach. Presented below are tried and true solutions that are being applied to affect change in an effort to implement civil rights initiatives in America to improve the plight of African Americans. These solutions do not represent all efforts by the organizations listed.

The Information Technology Senior Management Forum’s VISION2020 is a revolutionary program designed to expose students, primarily from 40

The Congressional Black Caucus understands that each organization requires a unique approach to increasing African American inclusion.

With this in mind, we are working with companies and organizations to adopt an African American Inclusion Plan that would outline specific, measurable steps that the company would take to increase recruitment and retention of African Americans in the industry. The following organizations have adopted African American Inclusion Plans: American Association for Access, Equity & Diversity (AAAED) Blacks in Technology, Career Communications Group, Inc., Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA), Bleeker, Global Leadership Forum, and Information Technology Senior Management Forum.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), to mid- and senior-level executives to promote an increased interest in the STEM disciplines.

This program: 1. Facilitates curriculum review leveraging corporate entities 2. Enriches the classroom experience with guest lecturers 3. Extends reach and connectivity through virtual campus offerings 4. Offers students internship and employment opportunities 1 The National BDPA Mobile App Showcase, co-sponsored

by McDonald’s, State Farm Insurance and WWT, allows student application developers the opportunity to participate in a competition that allows them to an opportunity to test their talents against others and develop a working, functional

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mobile application, at no cost to themselves.

The applications being showcased will represent three different application categories (i.e. business, personal productivity, and gaming). Each category will have stringent requirements to be met in advance to the showcase. 2 Blacks In Technology is a professional platform for people of color (PoC) in technology. BIT serves to increase the visibility and participation of PoC in tech through community, media, mentorship, and stewardship. Blacks In Technology (BIT)® is “Stomping the Divide” by establishing a blueprint of world class technical excellence and innovation by providing resources, guidance and issuing a challenge to our members to surpass the high mark and establish new standards of global innovation. 4 In May

2015, the Congressional Black Caucus launched CBC TECH 2020 to bring together the best minds in the tech, non-profit, education and public sectors to chart a path forward to increase African American inclusion at all levels of the technology industry. The lack of African American representation in tech means that many of our best and brightest – the problem solvers, critical thinkers, and those that challenge conventional thinking – are not included, and America’s global competitiveness suffers as a result.

Below is a link to plans that organizations have adopted.

• American Association for Access, Equity & Diversity (AAAED) • Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) • Blacks in Technology • Bleeker • Career Communicatons Group, Inc

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Technology Initiatives

References

6.

American Association for Access, Equity, and Diversity: aaaed.org

2.

BDPA: bdpa.org

7.

Global Leardership Forum glfnow.org

3.

Career Communications Group: intouch.ccgmag.com

8.

National Society of Black Engineers: nsbe.org

4.

Blacks in Technology: blacksintechnology.net

9.

Congressional Black Caucus Tech 2020: cbc.house.gov/ cbctech

5.

Bleeker bleeker.co

• Global Leadership Forum

• Information Technology Senior Management Forum

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I N I T I A T I V E S

The Global Leadership Forum (GLF) is designed to create, nurture and evolve a coalition of organizations whose collective missions will increase the number of competitive, diverse technologists in the talent pipeline who will lead the global marketplace.

GLF serves as a collective voice and unifying force amongst the participating organizations.

The Forum’s participants promote state-of-the-art programs that will produce workforce ready diverse talent from entry- to C-level positions in the public and private sectors and foster entrepreneurialism in technology. This is accomplished by jointly and strategically focusing on improving the graduation rates in the STEM disciplines, enhancing the soft skills and the leadership development skills and mastering the technology industry competencies. 7

A M E R I C A N

Information Technology Senior Management Forum: ITSMF: itsmfonline.org

A F R I C A N

1.

41

www.d9-mag.com In 2011 you founded NewME Accelerator, a platform with the mission to accelerate minority and women entrepreneurs to build thriving businesses.

How did you come up with the idea for NewME? NewME was born out of Blackweb20.com (now B20) and it started as a one-day summit in 2010. The goal was to find concrete ways to develop more successful entrepreneurs of color. NewME was an idea that was the product of that process.

NewME Accelerator Founder and CEO Angela Benton

From securing funding, writing a business plan, managing employees and operating the day-to-day aspects of the company, running your own business takes a great deal of time! Take us through the details of launching NewME.

A F R I C A N

A M E R I C A N

I N I T I A T I V E S

By Jackie Saffert

Angela Benton is a trailblazer in her own right. The Silicon Valley entrepreneur began her career as a designer and after working in a variety of positions including web designer, creative director, and front-end web developer, Angela transitioned to her current role: CEO at NewME Accelerator. NewME is a platform with the mission to accelerate minority and women entrepreneurs in building thriving businesses. Early in her career, Angela noticed there was a lack of coding knowledge among her peers, and this is one of the things she works to promote through NewME. Since founding NewME Accelerator in 2011, Angela and her team have helped more than 300 startups raise over $17 million in funding.

Throughout her career, Angela has worked in a variety of fields and has built several businesses from the ground up. She does it all while raising her children and working to maintain a balance between her personal and professional life. Angela has also received many accolades, included being placed on Goldman Sachs’ list of 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs of 2013, Fast Company’s Most Influential Women in Technology, and Business Insiders’ 25 Most Influential African-Americans in Technology.

Read on to find out how Angela went from a designer to a CEO, and advice she has for other women looking to excel in their own endeavors.

What was your first job out of college and how did you land it? I’ve had jobs ever since I was 15, so my first job “out of college” wasn’t really my first job. My first job in my field of choice was a freelance design position for a magazine; I was referred by my older sister. From web designer to creative director to front-end developer, you have had a varied career in digital media and design.

It’s funny, most of the businesses I’ve started with very little business planning and just an idea. I’ve always ended up backing into the business aspect. I think it’s really important to find what you are passionate about and work on it. At some point you will have to do a lot of planning for the business and there will be ups and downs; passion will come in handy to keep you going.

What are your primary job responsibilities at NewME? In short, everything! As the CEO, my job is to manage all aspects of the business. Though we have someone on our team who heads operations, editorial, product, sales, and marketing, I’m involved in every aspect. Generally, I set the vision for where the business should go and organize all of our resources (human, capital, etc.) to make it happen.

NewME started as a 12-week mentorship program for eight women in San Francisco and now it’s helped more than 300 startups raise over $17 million in funding.

How do you want to see NewME expand in the future? Since we’ve launched, our entrepreneurs have raised nearly $17 million in funding and we’ve been able to help hundreds all over the world.

Though we don’t have a dedicated effort to focus on entrepreneurs internationally, it’s definitely a priority in the near future. We’ll be launching our new platform in the next few months and that will allow us to work with even more entrepreneurs.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? By far the most rewarding part of my job is getting to see how the work we do impacts another person’s life. We literally get to watch (and help) dreams take shape.

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African American Leaders

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African Americans in the Boardroom Black Enterprise (BE) has released its latest exclusive report on African American representation on the corporate boards of 500 of America’s largest publicly traded companies today at BlackEnterprise.com. The media company identifies 292 African American directors at S&P 500 companies, including Starbucks, Walmart, ExxonMobil and FedEx Corp., on the Black Enterprise Registry of Corporate Directors. In addition, the report reveals 197 companies with no African American representation among their boards of directors.

Black Enterprise’s report spotlights prominent African American directors including Ariel Investments L.L.C. Chairman and CEO John Rogers, who serves on the boards of McDonald’s and Exelon and James Bell, retired EVP, Corporate President, and CFO of Boeing, who serves on the board of JPMorgan Chase, Dow Chemical, and Apple.

A F R I C A N

A M E R I C A N

L E A D E R S

Source: “Power in the Boardroom,” Black Enterprise Magazine

“I’m here to challenge all black board members with the specific responsibility to voice issues of concern that 44

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affect African Americans across the board,” says Black Enterprise Chairman and Publisher Earl Graves Sr. “African Americans on boards are among the guardians of shareholder value who are ensuring the continued viability of American industry, including trillions of dollars in assets and millions of managers, employees, suppliers, and other corporate stakeholders.”

The registry is drawn from the S&P 500 based on market capitalization as of April 28th, 2017. Black Enterprise compiled the listing by reviewing proxy statements and annual reports, as well as contacting investor relations departments, corporate governance experts, and organizations such as the Black Corporate Directors Conference and Executive Leadership Council (ELC); the latter is a network of the nation’s most highly ranked African American corporate executives.

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Leaders in Civil Rights

President Obama Marks the 50th Anniversary of the Marches from Selma to Montgomery

Jimmie Briggs

Founder and Executive Director of the Man Up Campaign Human Rights Activist

Benjamin Crump

Civil rights attorney and CEO of Ben Crump Law

Patrisse Cullors

Co-Founder of Black Lives Matter Movement

A M E R I C A N

Deborah N. Archer

Professor of Law at New York Law School and Board of Directors of ACLU

A F R I C A N

Michelle Alexander

Author: “The New Jim Crow: Professor, Writer, and Civil Rights Advocate

L E A D E R S

Bryan Fair

Professor at the University of Alabama School of Law and Board Member of the Southern Poverty Law Center

Marc H. Morial

President and CEO of National Urban League

Alicia Garza

Co-Founder of Black Lives Matter Movement

Zachary Norris

Executive Director of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights

Jesse Jackson Sr

Founder and President Rainbow PUSH Coalition

Al Sharpton

President of National Action Network Civil Rights Activist, Baptist Minister, Television/Radio Host, Politician

Benjamin Jealous

Venture capitalist, civic leader, and CEO of NAACP

Charles W. Steele Jr.

CEO of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)

Joseph Madison

Radio talk-show host at XM Satellite Radio, civil rights activist

Opal Tometi

Co-Founder, Black Lives Matter Writer, Strategist, Community Organizer

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Leaders in Community Service

Shavon Arline-Bradley

Co-Chair, National Social Action Commission for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Martha Perine Beard

Rhonda Briggins

ALSAC/St. Jude Board of Directors, International Parliamentarian of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Co-Chair, National Social Action Commission for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Felicia Hill-Briggs, PhD

James H. Johnson, Jr., Ph.D.

Herman E. Bulls

Board of Governors at American Red Cross, Vice Chairman Americas at JLL

David L. Casey

Board of Directors at American Lung Association, Chief Diversity Officer for CVS Health

A F R I C A N

A M E R I C A N

L E A D E R S

The Divine 9

Marian Wright Edelman

Founder and president of the Children’s Defense Fund

Connie L. Lindsey

Executive VP at Northern Trust, Board of Directors at Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 46

President-Elect, Health Care & Education at American Diabetes Association

Jackie Parker

Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity

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National Board of Directors of YMCA, Director Urban Investment Strategies Center at University of North Carolina

Byron Spruell

Board Member for United Way of America, President of League Operations for National Basketball Association

Verna Jones-Rodwell

Board of Directors at Alzheimer’s Association, President of Collabortive Solutions

Stacey D. Stewart

President of March of Dimes

Gil King

Vice President, Internal Audit at JDRF

Claire Wellington

Senior Vice President, Governance and Special Programs at Feeding America

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Leaders in Economics

National Minority Supplier Development Council

Ursula M. Burns

Chairwoman of VEON

Kenneth I. Chenault

CEO of American Express.

Roger W. Ferguson, Jr. CEO of TIAA-CREF.

Kenneth C. Frazier

CEO of Merck & Co., Inc

A M E R I C A N

COO of Starbucks

A F R I C A N

Rosalind G. Brewer

L E A D E R S

Earl G. Graves, Sr.

CEO of Earl G. Graves, Ltd

Robert F. Smith

Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Vista Equity Partners Inc.

Myron Gray

President of U.S. Operations of United Parcel Service

David L. Steward

Chairman and Founder of World Wide Technology, Inc.

Michael J. Jordan

Principal Owner and Chairman of Charlotte Hornets.

John W. Thompson

CEO of Virtual Instruments and the Chairman of Microsoft

Ronald C. Parker

President and CEO Executive Leadership Council

Dr Boyce Watkins

CEO of The Black Business School and Black Wealth Bootcamp

Charles E. Phillips, Jr.

CEO of Infor Global Solutions

Oprah Winfrey

Founder: Oprah Winfrey Network, Harpo Productions, Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, Oprah’s Angel Network, Oxygen

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Why America needs Black-Owned Banks

A F R I C A N

A M E R I C A N

L E A D E R S

by Jeanne Lee, NerdWallet

Black-owned banks in the U.S. were once a financial haven for African-Americans at a time when discrimination in the industry was common. Today, these banks function as engines for economic revitalization in often-distressed communities. But their numbers are in decline, and some people are trying to change that. In recent months, some black banks reported a rush of new customers after a video circulated on social media of a TV appearance by rapper Killer Mike in which he called on individuals to open savings accounts in black-owned institutions. The #BankBlack movement was credited with bringing $20 million in new deposits to OneUnited, says a representative for the black institution. It had total assets of about $646 million as of September, according to the latest data from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

In 2007, prior to the recession, there were 41 banks with majority African-American ownership. There were 44 in 1986, today, the number of black-owned banks has fallen to just 23 institutions. At the same time, the need for these institutions has grown. African-Americans as a group are underserved by financial services. More than 53% of blacks are either unbanked or underbanked, meaning they supplement their bank account with alternatives such as check cashers. That’s nearly double the percentage of the population as a whole, according to the FDIC. Black-owned banks provide needed access to services The disproportionately high number of African-Americans who are disconnected from mainstream financial services is a target market for black-owned banks. Many of these consumers have no checking or savings accounts, and they often rely heavily on check cashers, pawn shops, payday lenders or other high-cost alternative financial providers. Many banks run by African-Americans are in neighborhoods that other banks don’t serve, and the minority institutions provide access to safe and affordable bank accounts, mortgages and business loans.

OneUnited Bank, one of the largest black-owned banks, offers much-needed bank services including mortgages, second-chance checking for customers who have been 48

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denied an account in the past, secured credit cards for those working on rebuilding damaged credit, and education for first-time home buyers. “To open a deposit account is only $10,” says Teri Williams, the bank’s president, “so it’s very affordable.”

OneUnited is also an internet bank, offering better-thanaverage interest rates on savings and checking accounts.

Its well-rated mobile apps are important in competing for African-American customers, who are more likely to use mobile banking, according to the Federal Reserve.

Black-owned banks support and stabilize communities As community banks, black-owned institutions have strong relationships with the neighborhoods where their customers live. Part of OneUnited’s mission is to make customers feel welcome, rather than intimidated.

“The cities we serve are black and brown,” Williams says, “and on the income side, many are people who are struggling. We have people in their 50s and 60s who tell us they’ve never set foot in a bank. They didn’t feel welcome.

They didn’t feel banking was for them.” By providing financial services, credit and a warm welcome, Grant says black-owned banks help stabilize the communities they serve. “When people get a piece of the rock, guess what happens,” he says. “Crime rates in that community come down.”

There are 23 African-American-owned banks in the U.S., according to 2016 FDIC data: Alamerica Bank, Birmingham AL; Broadway Federal Bank, Los Angeles CA; Carver Federal Savings, New York NY; Carver State Bank, Savannah GA; Citizens Savings Bank, Nashville TN; Citizens Trust Bank, Atlanta GA; City National Bank, Newark NJ; Columbia Savings & Loan, Milwaukee WI; Commonwealth National Bank, Mobile AL; First Independence Bank, Detroit MI; First State Bank, Danville VA; Harbor Bank, Baltimore MD; Illinois Service Federal, Chicago IL; Industrial Bank Washington DC; Liberty Bank, New Orleans LA; Mechanics & Farmers Bank, Durham, NC; Metro Bank, Louisville KY; OneUnited Bank, Boston MA; South Carolina Community Bank, Columbia SC; Tri-State Bank, Memphis TN; United Bank, Philadelphia PA; Unity National Bank, Houston TX; Urban Partnership Bank, Chicago IL.

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Leaders in Education

White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans

Director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African Art

Jacqueline Cooper

Wayne A. I. Frederick

Henry Louis Gates Jr.

President of Howard University

Professor and Director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University

John B. King Jr.

L E A D E R S

President of the Black Alliance for Educational Options

A M E R I C A N

Johnnetta B. Cole Ph.D.

A F R I C A N

Lonnie G. Bunch III

Founding Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture

Brian L. Johnson

KPresident of Tuskegee University

Harold L. Martin, Jr. Interim President of Morehouse College

Board of National Alliance for Public Chater Schools, President of Strayer University

Brian Jones

President and CEO of The Education Trust

Michelle King Ph.D.

Superintendent of LA Unified School District

Michael L. Lomax Ph.D.

Deborah McGriff, Ph.D.

Larry Robinson Ph.D.

Kevin D. Rome, Sr., Ph.D.

Antwan Wilson

Board of National Alliance for Public Chater Schools, Partner of New Schools Venture Fund

President of Florida A&M University

President of Fisk University

President and CEO of United Negro College Fund

Chancellor of District of Columbia Public Schools

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Leaders in Health Care

Jerome M. Adams, MD

Anesthesiologist and a vice admiral in the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, 20th Surgeon General of the US

Andrew C Agwunobi MD MBA CEO of UConn Health and Executive Vice President for Health Affairs

Nicholette L. Bourgeois, MHA

President Obama signing the Affordable Care Act

Benjamin S. Carson Sr. MD

Director of Medicare Strategy Operations at Kaiser Permanente

Neurosurgeon, author, and politician who is the 17th and current United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

Risa Lavizzo-Mourey MD

Kevin E. Lofton

Lloyd H Dean

President and Chief Executive Officer of Dignity Health

A F R I C A N

A M E R I C A N

L E A D E R S

Healthcare Providers engaging African American Families

Trent Haywood, MD, JD

Wright Lassiter III

Chief Medical Officer at Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association

President and CEO of Henry Ford Health System

Tauana McDonald

David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D.

Senior VP of clinical business operations of Trinity Health

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Founding Director and Senior Advisor of Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine, 16th Surgeon General of US

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Penn Integrates Knowledge University Professor at the University of Pennsylvania

Bruce Siegel MD, MPH

President and CEO of America’s Essential Hospitals

Chief Executive of Catholic Health Initiatives

Pamela Sutton-Wallace, MPH

Chief Executive Officer of University of Virginia Medical Center

Patricia A. Maryland, Dr.PH

Executive Vice President, Ascension, and President and Chief Executive Officer, Ascension Healthcare

Bernard J. Tyson

Chairman and CEO of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Hospitals — known as Kaiser Permanente

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Leaders in Justice

African Americans engaged in peaceful protest

Jo Ann Jenkins

Kris Henning

Eric H. Holder Jr.

Professor at Georgetown University Law Center, Deputy Director of the Juvenile Justice Clinic

Attorney, 82nd Attorney General of the US

Van Jones

Rev. Phillip Lawson

L E A D E R S

Sherrilyn Ifill

Todd Cox

Director of Policy at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc

A M E R I C A N

James A. Cadogan

Director of the Thurgood Marshall Institute

A F R I C A N

Marcus Bullock

Founder and CEO, Flikshop; Board of Directors of Justice Policy Insitute

Law professor and President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund

Loretta E. Lynch

Attorney, 83rd Attorney General of the US

CEO of AARP

Glenn E. Martin

Criminal justice reform advocate and is the founder of JustLeadershipUSA

Cynthia E. Jones

Professor of law at American University and board president of Sentencing Project

Rashad Robinson

Executive Director of Color of Change

Co-Founder of Color of Change, political commentator, author, attorney

James Rucker

Co-Founder of Color of Change

Chair Emeritus of Black Alliance for Just Immigration

Bryan Stevenson

Founder and Executive Director of Equal Justice Initiative

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SheaMoisture Owner Buys Essence From Time Inc.

By Ryan Velez of The Root

“This acquisition of Essence represents the beginning of an exciting transformation of our iconic brand as it evolves to serve the needs and interests of multigenerational black women around the world in an even more elevated and comprehensive way across print, digital, e-commerce and experiential platforms,” said Ebanks. “In addition, it represents a critical recognition, centering and elevation of the black women running the business from solely a leadership position to a coownership position.”

Essence Ventures was founded and is chaired by Richelieu Dennis, who also is the founder of SheaMoisture. (Note: In November, Unilever acquired the parent company for SheaMoisture, Sundial Brands.)

A M E R I C A N

L E A D E R S

Following a stint of ownership by Time, Inc., The Root reports that Essence Communications Inc., the 47-yearold multiplatform brand that owns Essence magazine and the annual Essence Festival, has gone back to Black ownership following a purchase by Essence Ventures LLC, an independent African-American-owned company, according to an official press release by Essence Ventures.

It’s important to note that the Essence brand was not part of the historic, nearly $3 billion sale of Time Inc. to the Meredith Corp. in November 2017.

A F R I C A N

This comment references the fact that Essence’s executive team consists entirely of Black women. The release also says that Essence will focus on expanding its digital businesses and continue to “plant its rich content” in more global markets (the Essence Festival launched a Durban, South Africa, Festival in 2016).

Essence currently reaches an audience of more than 16 million across its various platforms, including its print magazine; digital, video and social platforms; television specials; books; and live events, such as the annual Essence Festival, a 22-year-old cultural celebration that attracted more than 450,000 attendees to New Orleans last summer. “[W]e are excited to be able to return this culturally relevant and historically significant platform to ownership by the people and the consumers whom it serves, and offer new opportunities for the women leading the business to also be partners in the business,” said Dennis of the Essence brand acquisition.

Essence President Michelle Ebanks will continue at the helm of the company and will join its board of directors; she will also have an equity stake in the business.

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Leaders in Mentoring

African Americans Mentoring Youth

Kevin L. Burnett

National Guide Right Commission Chairman for Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity

Geoffrey Canada

President of Harlem Children’s Zone

Thomas W. Dortch, Jr.

Chairman of the Board of 100 Black Men of America

A M E R I C A N

Angela Glover Blackwell

Founder and CEO of PolicyLink, Board of Directors YouthBuild

A F R I C A N

Lawrence Bancroft

Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bay Area

L E A D E R S

Donna Y. Dunlap

CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas

Charles Matthews

Chairman of Big Brother Big Sister Committee for Omega Psi Phi Fraternity

Charleston Edwards

Vice President National Events and Partnerships, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

Lorraine Orr

Chief Operations Officer of Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Susan George

Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mid-South

Brian L. Pauling

President & CEO of 100 Black Men of America

Myron Gray

Ricky Lewis

Chair Executive of Board of Governors for Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Chairman of Youth Leadership Committee for Omega Psi Phi Fraternity

Brian Sales

Jenabu C. Williams

Director of Training and Technical Assistance at MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership

Executive Director of Sigma Beta Clubs for Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity

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Leaders in Politics

L E A D E R S

Congressional Black Caucus

A M E R I C A N

Cory Booker

G. K. Butterfield

Democratic Representative, North Carolina – 1st

André Carson

Democratic Representative, Indiana – 7th

Jim Clyburn

Democratic Representative, South Carolina – 6th

Danny Davis

Democratic Representative, Illinois – 7th

A F R I C A N

Democratic Senator, New Jersey

Marcia Fudge

Democratic Representative, Ohio – 11th

John Lewis

Democratic Representative, Georgia – 5th

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Kamala Harris

Democratic Senator, California

Gregory Meeks

Democratic Representative, New York – 5th

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Robin Kelly

Democratic Representative, Illinois – 2nd

Cedric Richmond

Democratic Representative, Louisiana – 2nd

Barbara Lee

Democratic Representative, California – 13th

Maxine Waters

Democratic Representative, California – 43rd

Sheila Jackson Lee

Democratic Representative, Texas – 18th

Frederica Wilson

Democratic Representative, Florida – 24th

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Leaders in Technology

African Americans in Silicon Valley

CEO MetricStream

Ime Archibong

Vice President Partnerships Facebook

Angela Benton

Founder and CEO NewMe Accelerator

Kimberly Bryant

A M E R I C A N

Shellye Archambeau

A F R I C A N

Ty Ahmad-Taylor

Vice President Product Marketing Facebook

Founder BlackGirlsCode

L E A D E R S

Majora Carter

Founder Sustainable South Bronx Startup Box

Kanyi Maqubela Partner Collaborative Fund

Kenneth Coleman

Chairman MIPS Technologies, Inc

Kirk McDonald President PubMatic

David Drummond

Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Chief Legal Officer Google

Erik Moore

Founder and Managing Partner Base Ventures

Malik Ducard

Global Head of Family & Learning Google/YouTube

Terry Morris

National President BDPA

Lisa Lambert

Managing Partner The Westly Group

Michael Seibel

CEO and Partner Y Combinator

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Diversity in the Technology Sector Source: democrats-edworkforce.house.gov

A F R I C A N

A M E R I C A N

L E A D E R S

There remains a persistent lack of racial, ethnic, and gender diversity in the technology workforce. Particularly, the environment and access to these opportunities have not improved in more than a decade, for women, Black and Hispanic workers. The fact is, leading technology firms lag in drawing from the available talent pool of women, Black, and Hispanic people technology workers.

In 2015, ranking member Bobby Scott asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine: 1. The trends over the past ten years in racial, ethnic, and gender diversity of the workforces at the leading U.S. technology companies, including those that have contracts with the federal government; and 2. The effectiveness of key federal programs that aim to improve diversity in the science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) fields.

KEY FINDINGS The glass ceiling for women and people of color has yet to be cracked within the leading technology companies. q Women are significantly underrepresented in senior officer and manager (19 percent) positions, relative to their share of professional (30 percent) and mid-level management (29 percent) positions. q This is also true for Asian, Hispanic, and Black workers, who hold low levels of representation at senior positions relative to roles serving as the pipeline for those positions. q Over the past decade, within the technology sector, Black workers occupy fewer positions across the spectrum of jobs from senior management to mid-level management to professionals to technicians.

Technology firms have explained away their poor workforce diversity performance by claiming it is simply a pipeline problem however, the evidence does not support this claim. q Hispanic workers earned ten percent, and Black workers seven percent, of Bachelors and Masters in technology degrees, yet they represent only five percent or less of the professionals and mid-level managers in the leading technology companies. q The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) notes that the lack of diversity in the technology 56

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industry is not merely a pipeline problem, “Many technology jobs do not require a STEM degree. Only about a third of the technology workforce has a technology related degree; 36 percent of technology workers do not hold a degree at all.� q The technology sector is doing a poor job of recruiting and retaining available talent. Women with technology degrees are far less likely to be employed as a technology worker than men with those degrees.

Employers themselves say that solving the problem requires commitment from top leadership. q Representatives from one company stated that top management support for diversity efforts, such as setting hiring goals, can help move a company in the direction of achieving representation goals and that leadership is very important to this effort.

GAO’S RECOMMENDATIONS q The OFCCP should require contractors to disaggregate the racial and ethnic data instead of setting placement goals for all minorities as a group to detect and address underrepresentation of particular minority groups. q OFCCP should modernize how it selects the specific business/geographic segments of an enterprise to better capture the diversity data among subcontractors in the tech sector. q Despite the priority laid out in its 2016-2019 Research and Data Plan, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission does not have a tool for collecting the discrimination data in the tech sector because the agency does not have an industry code to help identify the sector.

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Celebrating African American Heritage Business, Civic and Professional Conferences

ORGANIZATION.......................................................................................LOCATION...........................................START DATE................END DATE NAACP 109th Annual Convention.........................................................San Antonio, TX........................................14-Jul-18................... 18-Jul-18 National Urban League Annual Conference......................................Columbus, OH............................................1-Aug-18...................4-Aug-18 BDPA 40th Annual Conference and Career Fair...............................New Orleans, LA.......................................8-Aug-18...................11-Aug-18 Omega Psi Phi Fraternity - 80th Grand Conclave............................New Orleans, LA......................................20-Jul-18..................24-Jul-18 Zeta Phi Beta Sorority - Grand Boulé.................................................New Orleans, LA....................................... 18-Jul-18.................. 22-Jul-18 National Action Network Annual Convention....................................New York, NY...........................................18-Apr-18..................21-Apr-18 Rainbow-PUSH National Convention..................................................Chicago, IL................................................14-Jun-18..................18-Jun-18 NMSDC Leadership Awards .................................................................New York, NY.........................................24-May-18................24-May-18 CBCF 48th Annual Legislative Conference........................................Washington, DC.......................................19-Sep-18.................23-Sep-18 National Medical Association 116th Annual Convention...................Orlando, FL............................................... 11-Aug-18.................15-Aug-18 Big Brothers Big Sisters National Conference..................................St. Louis, MO...........................................25-Jun-18.................28-Jun-18 Eighth Annual National Mentoring Summit.......................................Washington, DC......................................24-Jan-18.................26-Jan-18 NABJ Annual Convention & Career Fair.............................................Detroit, MI...................................................1-Aug-18...................5-Aug-18 National MBA Annual Conference & Exposition ..............................Detroit, MI................................................25-Sep-18.................29-Sep-18 Global Leadership Forum (GLF) Annual Technology Summit.........St. Louis, MO............................................. 5-Apr-18................... 5-Apr-18 National Society of Black Engineers 44th Annual Convention......Pittsburg, PA............................................21-Mar-18.................25-Mar-18 National Dental Association (NDA) 105th Annual Convention.......Orlando, FL..................................................11-Jul-18................... 15-Jul-18 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit...........................................Charlotte, NC..............................................6-Jun-18....................9-Jun-18 Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit......................................Orlando, FL................................................7-Mar-18................. 10-Mar-18 Black Enterprise - Black Men XCEL Summit.....................................Palm Beach Gardens, FL...................... 29-Aug-18...................2-Sep-18 American Black Film Festival...............................................................Miami Beach, FL.......................................13-Jun-18..................18-Jun-18 BEYA STEM Global Competitiveness Conference............................Washington, DC........................................8-Feb-18..................10-Feb-18 NABA National Convention & Expo.....................................................Orlando, FL...............................................13-Jun-18..................17-Jun-18 NABCJ 45th Annual Conference and Training Institute..................Houston, TX................................................13-Jul-18....................19-Jul-18 National Bar Association 93rd Annual Convention & Exhibits.......New Orleans, LA.......................................27-Jul-18...................2-Aug-18 National Black Police Association 46th Annual Conference..........San Diego, CA.............................................2-Jul-18.....................9-Jul-18 D9 Mag | 2018-19 Edition

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The Relevance and Redefining of WEB Du Bois “Talented Tenth”

By L'Monique King of University of North Carolina at Charlotte

1903 was the year for transportation because it was also the year that noted scholar and philosopher William Edward Burghardt Du Bois published his essay “The Talented Tenth”—a prescription for transporting African Americans (then commonly known as Negroes) from their current position of disempowerment to one of collective empowerment and elevation.

In Du Bois’s discussion of this notion, the focus of education (tightly intertwined with a call for heightened morality) to the highly talented among all African Americans. As a result of its high profile and its emphasis on the importance of top intellectuals and artists of the race, however, the concept would also become known as an elitist (and sometimes sexist) theory that would not be readily embraced or accepted as valid and/ or inclusionary. Whatever revisions Du Bois would later make in an attempt to redefine and/or broaden his theory would be ill promoted and infrequently acknowledged. Yet, in spite of the criticism, Du Bois’s concept has had a powerful impact on American culture. With that in mind, the writer will attempt to explore and examine Du Bois’s theory within a contemporary context.

Conversely, Du Bois believed and promoted the idea that formal education geared toward professions (e.g. physicians, educators, and attorneys) that did not focus on industrial trades was the ticket Blacks needed in order to board the train of elevation and empowerment. “To attempt to establish any sort of a system of common and industrial school training, without first providing for the higher training of the very best teachers, is simply throwing your money to the winds”. With that purpose in mind, Du Bois published his “The Talented Tenth” essay within the collaborative book, The Negro Problem: A Series of Articles by Representative American Negroes of To-Day.

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Du Bois’s essay would passionately lay out what he perceived to be the problems of the Negro and his firm and detailed suggestion for how to solve them, education being the key component of that solution. However, in doing so Du Bois recognized that not all Negroes were equipped to be leaders and elevators of the Black race. This belief led to Du Bois’s underscoring Reverend Henry Lyman Morehouse's equation of ten percent of the Black race. “The Negro race, like all races, is going to be saved by its exceptional men. The problem of education, then, among Negroes must first of all deal with the Talented Tenth; it is the problem of developing the Best of this race that they may guide the Mass away from the contamination and death of the Worst, in their own and other races”.

Fast forward to two centuries later and African Americans now occupy positions in business as corporate CEOs and can routinely be seen participating as high ranking government officials extending all the way to Commander-in-Chief. In 2012 Barack Obama (a Black man who shares with Du Bois an alma mater of Harvard University) was reelected as President of the United States for a second term. However, the Black masses are still in a position of disempowerment that has the critically thinking Black community questioning, “Just how far we have come?” Inquiring minds want to know if a Talented Tenth still exists. If they do, are they still the elitist bourgeois (often of lighter complexion) Du Bois seemingly characterized, and what is their responsibility to the Black community? Is education still the key? These are all questions Black intellectuals, as well as many who occupy the ranks of the masses, grapple with.

In their book, The Rich and the Rest of Us: A Poverty Manifesto, authors Tavis Smiley and Dr. Cornel West shed light on saddening statistics relating to the state of inequality in the education currently provided to Blacks. In this book, as parallels are drawn between poverty and education, Smiley and West emphasize the lack of opportunities that would enable one to participate as the Black community’s Talented Tenth.

We do not believe the Black/white achievement gap captures the complexity of the education crisis in America. Although there have been modest gains in the reducing this gap, Black children still score lower on mathematics and reading tests than white. And more than 50 percent of Black children drop out of high school as compared to 30 percent of students overall.

www.d9-mag.com diversity of the Black community and acknowledging the fact that “power” means different things to different people, the authors selected “the 100 primary influencers and game changers who have made vital accomplishments during the past year” as the list “highlights individuals from a number of disciplines: creative arts, media, politics, business, religion, sports, environmental, philanthropy, digerati and even young emerging leaders”.

As achievement in education can easily be equated to overall success, and higher education is now much more readily accessible to all, Blacks still lag far behind in all areas of access to opportunity except consumerism, though they earn less and acquire fewer tangible assets than their White counterparts. In Racial Segregation and the Black/White Achievement Gap, 1992 To 2009, Dennis J. Condron et al. state and underscore the severity and impact of racial inequality.

In the contemporary United States, the educational achievement gap between white and black students constitutes an important barrier to black/white economic equality, - factors ranging from inequalities in students' social class backgrounds to differences in cultural orientations toward schooling to various inequalities between and with schools themselves.

Condron’s article goes on to say that this discrepancy is due to “the fact that black and white students in the United States by and large do not attend the same schools”. This is particularly relevant within the confines of a modern perspective of a Black Talented Tenth because it makes a direct correlation between America’s failing education system (most aptly as it applies to its Black citizens) and an effective Talented Tenth. Consequently, a system which creates a deficit in its production of the well-educated and successful aids in the perpetuation of an underclass by depriving that same class of available role models. Simply stated, if there were more equity in education wherein American institutions of education equipped Black students with the skill set and intellectual prowess necessary for functioning competitively in local as well as global environments, a Talented Tenth might easily be exponentially increased to a Talented Seventieth.

In exploring criteria for whom and what today’s Talented Tenth looks like, a recent Ebony article takes a stab at compiling an “Annual List of the Most Influential African Americans.” The contributing authors of the “Ebony Power 100” article “reflected on the people, politics, issues and cultural phenomena that have kept us transfixed and impacted our lives”. In recognizing the

In a technological era where fleeting iconic status is cemented through media outlets and social networking sites, citizens are inundated with supposed iconic images of those who are adept in song, dance, folly, and athletics. If it were not for awards ceremonies (e.g. The NAACP Image Awards and B.E.T.'s Black Girls Rock) and sporadic news stories of Black accomplishment, one would have to look long and hard to find examples of African American academic prowess and racial achievement. That is not to say that the Black community is without its intellectuals but merely to point out that there seems to have been a shift in priorities. This shift very well may be responsible for what some might lament as a stagnation in Black progression.

With a changing in America’s economic environment, the move from an age of industrialization to an information age, and a longstanding recession, even degreed Blacks are not guaranteed employment and the opportunities that present growth and elevation. Further, the potential Talented Tenth of today is a “me generation,” not the “we generation” of the past. Consequently, much less focus is placed upon communal efforts and responsibility. One wonders sometimes if the Black community has forgotten that there can be no community without “unity” (both etymologically and literally), or have they just gotten caught up in perceived success through individual financial gain and strivings? There’s an African proverb that eloquently captures these sentiments. In recognizing the benefit of strength through unity, African ancestors noted, “One tree does not make a forest.”

Toward the end of William Edward Burghardt Du Bois’s life, he too acknowledged the need for redefining his Talented Tenth theory to be one which was more inclusive. His theory took on a “double consciousness” of its own in that he came to believe and understand that “the souls of Black folks” stood to be in consistent conflict if the Black community could not be elevated with the intellectual elite working hand-in-hand with the masses. Unfortunately, this metamorphosis in ideology is one he is infrequently credited with—particularly through the lens of those who are comfortable seeing him as no more than an academic elitist. That being said, though the term may not be as relevant today as it was when it was conceived, the mission is just as valuable.

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When I was first introduced to computer programming, as a freshman in Electrical Engineering, Fortran and Pascal were the popular languages for newbies in computing and the Apple Macintosh was the new kid on the block. I remember being excited by the prospects, and looked forward to embarking on a rich and rewarding career after college.

thinking about what they want to be when they grow up.

But I also recall, as I pursued my studies, feeling culturally isolated: few of my classmates looked like me. While we shared similar aspirations and many good times, there’s much to be said for making any challenging journey with people of the same cultural background.

Imagine the impact that these curious, creative minds could have on the world with the guidance and encouragement others take for granted.

Much has changed since my college days, but there’s still a dearth of African-American women in science, technology, engineering and math professions, an absence that cannot be explained by, say, a lack of interest in these fields. Lack of access and lack of exposure to STEM topics are the likelier culprits.

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That, really, is the Black Girls Code mission: to introduce programming and technology to a new generation of coders, coders who will become builders of technological innovation and of their own futures.

I have, and I can’t wait!

Kimberly Bryant

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What is Black Enough?

by Eric D. Saunders

What is black enough, What is the future of black And claim to be that, What is the divide and why does It collide with what can or can not, Speak proper English Will the those who oversaw slavery be the same ones who Oversee the freedom to those who claim to be black?

What is black, in America, Black in the world?

In the Bible and Quran, What is black or why?

Where it’s been raped into by Whiteness (and this can’t be denied)?

And called appropriate and swears to God these are ALL acts of civility No we not living in those times but in these times When at times it seems nothing has been learned from Those times where black elders strong, Will black elders be strong Not now, About 55 or 400 years from now Will a black nation reign, Will it be Supreme Like the magic in the melody of Coltranes love, Will black find a new home in the Distant stars above and around and dominate the galaxy Will black not call itself black because it does not have too Will it mirror the hate raped into and wrapped up in The souls of mothers forced to make babies with their sons You know what I mean and so did Bernie, Mac that is Will the kids we see up and down these streets know Black like Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, Will they chase beauty black with make up

That mirrors lighter tones, Will black hate itself and anyone else With lighter tones and white fathers They called masters a time ago Who protect them strong Beat them well back then And trust me I know Because I love my brothers, black But too many attack our black wives Yes why is the question cause And I love my brother and he is white And his wife is black And all guess their daughters to be Mexican. Will black have to work twice as hard as White all its damn life And walk with two warring souls Will the trauma ever get healed That the ancestors can make us feel In our melanin on a summer day In Alabama, Indiana, anywhere Will black be valued like oil For hillbillies and or the politicians Who pimp black skin for penitentiaries And the pipelines pumped from The felopian tubes for felons For a few hundred to millions for Porn and how the booty shakes Will black be love The love that comes within Not the love for Jordans chicken and Jordan’s shoes

(different dudes, equally accused!)

What Love for material in fashion If the food is the criminal for cancer Black too often cries after funerals and holidays Will black keep on loving chittlins And hog maws Pig feet and money without black faces on it Will black greet kings like they Did on 38th and Keystone at White Castle And Shaka Zulu, Mansa Musa and TChalla And treat them all the same As if they marched with King Will all black children know That Dr. King didn’t free the slaves But gathered the masses through Social networks prior to social Media And Love was the engine Will black be on the backs of buses When black fought to be all over the bus Will Orange be the new black When stripes and chain gains were the first black Will Too Black write a poem about being Too Black?

When will black be black enough And not seek to hold on so tightly To pride too deeply rooted in pain Too deep down Blinded to the gold crowns By bloody tears mothers weep Damning the drugs, education Bullets or by river crocodiles teeth Gas station killer calories for kids to eat When will black realize it is beautiful beyond dollars and capitalistic ambition and boss status When will black realize that it is brown?

And every color combined under the light When will black be right When will black be alright And healed and build nations With protection and policing That don’t shoot to kill because Melanin Is stronger than the bias of maybe. When will black hair just be hair Not good or bad, just hair Will black destruct the minds of kids With blonde hair that don’t match the status Will black be niggas Will niggas be black Will black give niggas back To where it came from What will authentic be for black Will black know it’s black Or just a space to hold the stars For the future of black and all that is It must evolve and come to Know this The hearts beat holds the Rhythm of life, Love Now dance that dream Until stars begin to scream Power to the people.

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We Need To Talk About The Significance Of Princess Shuri And Seeing A Black Girl In STEM

by LaVita Tuff for blavity.com

'Black Panther' is not only a movie; it's an experience. Not only did it amass more than $200 million dollars during its opening weekend -- proving that black people are powerful beyond measure -- it also showcased characters with depth.

But, as powerful as 'Black Panther' was for the adults, the potential impact it can have on black boys and girls who watch it is immeasurable. And though there are many, one character sticks out as a shining example of black girl power for young black girls, Shuri.

for women of color in the last decade. In 2015, less than one percent of all U.S. engineering bachelor degrees were given to black women, and minority women compromise fewer than one of 10 employed scientists and engineers.

With STEM jobs expected to increase by 2020, more African-American women are needed. To see a young black woman on the screen like Shuri engineering tools and using technology as a weapon of choice is important and can be inspiring. For some little girls, it might even be life-changing.

After seeing Shuri, some young lady may take a second look at how she views and uses technology. As much as we needed 'Black Panther' as a movie, we needed Shuri as a representative to help show young girls the possibilities.

Organizations like Black Girls Code have made it their mission to support young girls like Shuri and break down the barriers and preconceived notions that suggest STEM‌isn't for girls of color. Black girls can and should code, too. Our job is to support them l‌ike we supported the movie. If we can have a black president, then we can have a generation of girls who break down the walls keeping them out of STEM fields and help them prepare to take over the world with the click of a few buttons or HTML codes.

Ryan Coogler gave us a lot with 'Black Panther,' but the gift is having my nieces and future daughters watch young women like Shuri and know that anything is possible.

“Black Panther” Box Office

by Tom DiChristopher for cnbc.com

Twenty-four-year-old actress Letitia Wright played Shuri, the spunky younger sister of King T'Challa, portrayed by Chadwick Boseman. She's hilarious, smart and full of wit. As important as King T’Challa (the Black Panther himself) was, he was only as good as the tools she created herself.

When we look at S‌ huri, we can only ask ourselves how many more Shuris exist who have untapped potential that can be used in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields where women of color are underrepresented. Over the years, we have seen the reports that describe the ignored potential of women in STEM fields like engineering, such as Ignored Potential: A Collaborative Road Map for Increasing African American Women in Engineering from the National Society of Black Engineers. This report, like so many others, provides us with a snapshot of what STEM has looked like 62

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• • •

Disney and Marvel’s “Black Panther” surpassed $500 million at the global box office one week after debuting in the United States.

High praise from critics and positive word of mouth have helped to sustain the buzz around the first bigbudget superhero movie to feature a majority black cast.

“Black Panther” has earned $292 million in North America, the highest one-week North American haul for any Marvel Studios film.

Steward | SpeakerS

Powerful events | Personal engangement

Hill Harper actor, author, Political advocate and television Personality

7:30Pm wednesday, february 7, 2018

Ivy tech Community College Culinary Bldg.

2820 n. meridian st, Indianapolis

valerie l.

Jarrett

attorney, senior advisor to President Barack obama

7:30Pm, thursday, march 8, 2018 IuPuI, Campus Center, 4th floor 420 university Blvd.

Indianapolis

earvin “magic�

Johnson

Chairman, Ceo, entrepreneur, and nBa Hall of famer

7:30Pm tuesday april 10th, 2018 marriott Downtown 350 w maryland st, Indianapolis

Purchase Your Ticket Now!!

Online: www.stewardspeakers.org Or Call 317-297-2905