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James J. Carter Installed as 84th President of the National Bar Association

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DATA NEWS WEEKLY — James J. Carter was installed as the 84th President of the National Bar Association on July 30, 2026, following an introduction by attorney James Williams and swearing-in by Judge Kern Reese. National Urban League President Marc H.

By LA Data News

Source: Black Press USA Wire

After a rousing introduction by Stellar New Orleans Attorney James Williams and swearing in by the Legendary Judge Kern Reese, the National Bar Association on July 30, 2026 installed nationally accomplished Trial Attorney and Civic Leader James J. Carter as its 84th President. In addition to NBA Past Presidents, leaders, members, friends and family from around the world, the great international leader, President and CEO of the National Urban League, Marc H. Morial, was in attendance, who gave James his first significant leadership opportunity more than 30 years ago. James’s presidency begins a term shaped by the responsibility of leading the organization as it continues its fight for Equal Justice Under the Law. He will be only the second person in the NBA’s 101 Year History, after the late Justice Revius Ortique, to serve as President while residing in Louisiana. President Carter’s bar year theme is “Meeting the Moment: A Continuing Legacy of Social Engineering and Empowerment.”

James J. Carter

James J. Carter “I accept this responsibility with a clear understanding of what the National Bar Association has represented for generations of Black Lawyers and for the communities we serve,” Carter said. “Our next century requires courage, discipline and practical action. We will strengthen civic activism, defend access to the ballot, advance financial independence, and address the conditions that affect the health and safety of our communities.” Founded in 1925 after Black Attorneys were excluded from membership in the American Bar Association, the National Bar Association has spent a century advancing Civil Rights, professional excellence and equal access to justice. Carter assumed the presidency at a consequential point in that history, with a mandate to honor the institution’s legacy while preparing it for the demands of the next 100 years.

During his term, Carter will work with NBA members, affiliates, sections, divisions, law schools, corporate partners and community organizations to translate the Association’s national reach into measurable civic and economic impact.

“The National Bar Association begins its next 100 years with a strong foundation and a clear obligation,” Carter said. “We will protect what prior generations built, respond to the realities facing our communities now, and create the systems the next generation will need.”

Based on reporting by Data News Weekly.

Originally published by Black Press USA Wire — https://ladatanews.com/james-j-carter-installed-as-84th-president-of-the-national-bar-association/

Flavor Flav: Why the People’s Timekeeper Should Get TIME Magazine’s Biggest Honor

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Flavor Flav

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

There comes a time when a nation needs reminding that joy is not the enemy of justice, that laughter and love can exist alongside the deepest wounds of history. In this fractured America, this cold, suspicious place where one man’s color still shapes another man’s fear, there walks a small man with a giant clock. Flavor Flav, the timekeeper of hip-hop, the eternal hype man of Public Enemy, is now the hype man of the world.

He’s not Roosevelt, nor Eisenhower, nor Clinton, Bush, or Obama. He’s not Churchill or Gandhi or Malcolm or Martin. But perhaps that’s the point. In a world oversaturated with icons and polished politicians, the truest reflection of our times might just be a man whose greatest weapon is joy. Public Enemy’s “The Hits Just Keep on Comin’” dropped recently, a rhythmic reminder that history, like that beat, never really stops. But Flavor Flav doesn’t just echo history; he bends it toward light. In 2025, while much of the world wrestles with hatred, division, and the ugly decay of empathy, Flav stands as a bridge linking people not by politics but by pulse, by laughter, by love.

He helped raise funds for Black families devastated by the Los Angeles fires, working with GoFundMeand the Black Music Action Coalition to bring relief to Pasadena and Altadena. He reminded a weary world that the struggle of one community belongs to us all. Then, he turned around and rescued Red Lobster, not for fame or fortune, but because it’s a place where Black folks have celebrated birthdays, graduations, and Sunday dinners for generations. “You gotta get to Red Lobster and give it a try,” he said, “because this signature meal is hype, boy!” It’s easy to laugh, but that’s precisely the miracle of Flavor Flav. He gives the world permission to smile again. He doesn’t greet you with a handshake. He embraces you. He doesn’t perform joy; he lives it.

When others hoard wealth, Flav gives himself. He became the official hype man for the U.S. women’s water polo team, then extended that love to the bobsleigh and skeleton teams ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics. There he was in Utah, stars-and-stripes helmet gleaming, hurling down the track at sixty-seven miles per hour, shouting, “I did it! This was so awesome!” Athletes who had nothing in common but the ice beneath them left that track with high-fives and hugs, all because of his spirit. He’s funded athletes, cheered for them, and even helped connect Taylor Swift fans and Olympians through kindness and curiosity. He calls himself “King Swiftie,” insisting that Taylor Swift “causes earthquakes” with her music. And who can deny it? If there’s a natural phenomenon to describe the magnitude of unity, perhaps it is an earthquake—shaking, breaking, reshaping the ground beneath us.

When most of America scrolls through hate, Flav’s Twitter timeline is an oasis of kindness. Trolls call him names, and his answer is simple: “I’m just a nice guy.” It’s that humility, that quiet insistence on decency, that makes him not just relevant but revolutionary. He’s served pretzels on a plane, lifted strangers in airports, reminded us to turn our clocks back, and proved that celebrity doesn’t have to mean separation. The world Flav inhabits isn’t divided by race or class or creed. It’s stitched together by rhythm and generosity. He’s the unlikely statesman of this broken union, uniting Black and white, young and old, the fans of Chuck D and the disciples of Taylor Swift.

So when TIME Magazine sits to decide who among us defines this year, and selects their Person of the Year, they would do well to remember that power doesn’t always wear a tie. Sometimes, it wears a clock. Sometimes, it walks with a bounce, speaks in exclamation points, and loves with no preconditions. Flavor Flav isn’t just the ultimate hype man. He’s the people’s timekeeper, a man reminding us that joy, in times like these, is an act of resistance. As one fan wrote, “Flavor Flav is a national treasure.” And maybe, just maybe, the treasure we’ve been waiting for has been keeping time all along.

Trump Turns the Military Inward, and America Confronts Its Oldest Fear

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Silhouette of a soldier with USA flag against the sunset

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The Posse Comitatus Act was born in 1878. It was short, a single sentence, but it carried a promise: soldiers would not patrol American streets. Its origin was poisoned by the retreat from Reconstruction and the rise of Jim Crow, but its meaning grew larger. It became a vow that liberty cannot live where rifles enforce the law of civilians.

Donald Trump has ripped that vow. He sent California National Guard troops into Los Angeles, not with the governor’s consent but against it. He leaned on a statute written for rebellion when no rebellion existed. He placed armed men in neighborhoods where citizens protested his policies, and in doing so, he showed his intent: not to protect the people but to remind them of his power.

Gov. Gavin Newsom answered directly. “We didn’t have a problem until Trump got involved. This is a serious breach of state sovereignty, inflaming tensions while pulling resources from where they’re actually needed,” Newsom wrote to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. “Rescind the order. Return control to California.” California Attorney General Rob Bonta brought the charge into focus. “There is no rebellion,” Bonta stated. “The President is trying to manufacture chaos and crisis on the ground for his own political ends.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, too, rejected the claim of disorder. “This is not citywide civil unrest taking place in Los Angeles. A few streets downtown, it looks horrible,” Bass said. “Those found committing acts of vandalism will be arrested and prosecuted.” History knows the moments when presidents sent troops to face citizens. Eisenhower sent them to Little Rock. Kennedy sent them to Mississippi and Alabama. Johnson sent them to Selma. Each time, the aim was to break segregation and open the door to justice. Trump’s act is not of that kind. He brings the military not to defend freedom, but to frighten those who demand it.

At Marine Corps Base Quantico, he assembled more than 800 generals and admirals. They flew in from across the world, ordered to sit and listen. “I’m thrilled to be here this morning to address the senior leadership of what is once again known around the world as the Department of War,” Trump told them. He mocked former President Joseph R. Biden Jr., praised tariffs and border walls, and declared, “We should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military.” Hegseth followed him, railing against what he called “woke garbage” in the armed forces and boasting of the officers he had already removed. “We’ve already done a lot in this area, but more changes are coming soon,” he said.

The gathering raised alarms. Lawmakers questioned its cost and its danger, packing the country’s senior military officers into one room. Critics saw a stage, not a strategy. Yet the silence of the commanders gave Trump what he wanted: the image of a military bent beneath his vision. The Posse Comitatus Act has loopholes. Congress cut them, presidents stretched them, courts blurred them. But the spirit of the law remains clear: a democracy collapses when its soldiers police its streets. Bonta named what is at stake. “The President is trying to manufacture chaos,” he said. “This is not about keeping the peace. This is about power.”

Why Black people should be concerned about the Jeffrey Epstein case

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“Confidential” printed on brown vintage envelope, in macro

By April Ryan

The voices of victims in the Jeffrey Epstein case to “end secrecy” are loud outside of Capitol Hill. They’re telling their stories and demanding action from Congress. As the victims are speaking out, Democratic sponsored legislation is moving in the House that would release materials in the Epstein case in 30 days.

The effort to determine who’s connected with these abuses also has support from Trump loyalist Margery Taylor Greene (R-GA), a Congresswoman who is using her platform to get answers. In contrast, the majority of House Republicans are pushing for an investigation into the Epstein case instead of the release of the documents. In front of the capital building yesterday, the survivors announced a plan to compile a list by and for survivors of those who allegedly took part in their abuse, along with Jeffrey Epstein.

The Trump White House continues to downplay the president’s involvement with Epstein and the Epstein survivors. Regarding survivors, at least one woman of color has publicly come forward. The perceived traditional mainstream media has been wall-to-wall coverage on this, as other media outlets are more focused on the nuances of this administration’s negative impact on cities and people. This reporter asked Maryland Congressman Mfume, “Why should Black America be concerned in this case?” Mfume, a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, who met with the survivors, said, “Black America should be concerned because this is a classic case of how the rich and powerful are still able to oppress and deny basic justice.”

“This is not only about the horrific actions of Epstein and [Ghislaine] Maxwell, but also about the wider network of individuals who enable, conceal, and turn their heads away in the face of exploitation. If it can happen to them, it can happen to anybody,” emphasized Mfume. Various House committees are focused on this Epstein issue, a campaign promise of the candidate Donald Trump. Los Angeles, Democratic Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove says, “I sit in the Judiciary….. My committee has jurisdiction over the FBI and the AG, and they have not yet availed themselves to us.” She sarcastically said, “I wonder why?”

Congresswoman Kankakee-Dove emphasizes the same point that Congressman Mfume expressed: “This cover-up only exposes what Black people already know. There are laws but two sets of rules. There are those who get walked on and those who look for more bodies to abuse.” The California Congresswoman believes that the truth will come to light, adding, “These behaviors are getting some sunlight, and we need to continue to expose and shame these actions and demand real accountability.” A meeting was held by our team on Monday with the client team for the Zephyr project to review the status of the forthcoming Q3 launch campaign. The campaign, originally built as an omnichannel activation across CTV, paid social, and programmatic display, is now subject to substantial midstream revisions—following newly surfaced client directives. The feedback introduces a material shift in strategic framing under a compressed delivery window. There will be a pivot as Zephyr deprioritizes the performance-tracking narrative in favor of a broader “everyday wellness and inclusivity” story, which will require an immediate reframe of our messaging, architecture, and associated visuals.

To address the revised scope, I’ve assigned immediate follow-up actions across the team. Visual art will lead conversations with post-production around stock content integration. Ad sales will recalibrate the media plan in light of the repositioned messaging and will coordinate with DSPs to avoid penalties related to insertion order delays. Copy desk is to be tasked with stripping all unsubstantiated medical claims from copy, implementing the new CTA, and managing a parallel review with legal. We conduct a daily internal stand-up each morning through the end of the week to identify blockers. The next client check-in is scheduled for July 3rd, where we will preview asset revisions and confirm compliance milestones. Final go/no-go is slated for July 7th at 17:00 PDT. We are proceeding with all mitigations in parallel and escalated any dependency delays as they surface.

OP-ED: Target National Selective Buying Campaign Continues

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Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA.

By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.
President and CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association

The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), representing the Black Press of America, hereby reiterates our profound disgust and unwavering opposition to the continued disrespect shown toward Black America by Target Corporation.

Two months ago, the NNPA launched a National Selective Buying and Public Education Campaign in response to Target’s blatant retreat from its stated commitments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). This campaign is not simply about economic protest it’s about justice, dignity, and the unyielding demand for respect.

As far back as October 2024, we sent a formal letter to Target CEO Brian Cornell detailing the company’s persistent refusal to invest in Black-owned newspapers and media outlets. That letter was met with silence. Silence, in the face of truth, is complicity. By ignoring our appeal, Mr. Cornell and Target have made clear that they do not value the voices, institutions, or the economic power of Black America.

Let us be clear: we will not shop where we are disrespected. Our dollars will not finance our own marginalization. The Black Press has, for over 198 years, amplified the stories and struggles of our communities when others would not, we continue to, “plead our own cause.” Yet, in 2025, major corporations like Target continue to bypass us in favor of performative gestures and hollow statements.

We therefore announce the continuation and intensification of the target-TARGET national selective buying campaign. We call upon all freedom-loving people from across all segments of society who believe in economic justice, media equity, and corporate accountability to join us.

To those companies who do embrace the inclusion of their diverse consumer base, we say this: Stand with us not just in words, but in deeds. Show your commitment by investing in our communities, supporting our businesses, and partnering with Black-owned media companies that have long carried the mantle of truth, justice, and advocacy.

This is not just about advertising. This is about visibility. This is about representation. This is about the moral obligation of “Good corporate citizenship” by honoring its promises not with press releases, but with action.

The time for silence is over. The time for selective buying is now.

Biden Administration Targets Lead Pipe Replacement Nationwide, Prioritizing Black Communities Facing Water Inequities

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By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

@StacyBrownMedia

President Joe Biden took a significant step this week toward ensuring access to clean drinking water for all Americans, announcing a new EPA rule that mandates the replacement of lead service lines across the nation within ten years. Biden declared that his administration remains committed to “sprinting to the finish” in addressing environmental justice issues and securing clean water for historically marginalized communities.

Since day one, the president said his administration has prioritized the removal of lead pipes, with he and Vice President Kamala Harris committing to replace all lead pipes within a decade. The effort, part of the administration’s Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan, doubles down on their focus on protecting public health, particularly in underserved areas. “No level of lead exposure is safe,” Biden emphasized, noting the devastating impacts of lead poisoning, especially on children and expectant mothers.

The NAACP recently released a report highlighting how unsafe drinking water affects Black communities disproportionately, using problems in Jackson, MS, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and other cities as examples. “Access to clean water is a fundamental human right,” the report stated, calling for immediate action from state legislators to enforce policies prioritizing clean water access in low-income and minority communities.

The report stressed that decisions on water infrastructure funding often occur at the state level, leaving marginalized communities vulnerable when funding priorities are misaligned. The NAACP urges lawmakers to “allocate funds for the modernization and maintenance of water systems” in areas that have suffered from long-term neglect.

Milwaukee and Nationwide Efforts

In Milwaukee, Biden declared that the city is progressing significantly thanks to a $30 million investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. With the funding, Milwaukee can replace its lead pipes within ten years instead of the previously projected 60-year timeline. The city also prioritizes disadvantaged communities in its lead pipe replacement efforts, partnering with other Midwest cities like Detroit to advance regional clean water initiatives. “Milwaukee is now a leader in the region,” Biden added, noting the city’s partnership with Detroit through the Great Lakes Lead Pipes Partnership, which aims to accelerate lead pipe replacement across the Midwest.

The Biden administration’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements will mandate lead pipe replacement across the country, making this the first-ever national requirement. Since the rule was first announced, Biden has secured $15 billion specifically for lead pipe replacement, along with an additional $11.7 billion that can be allocated to drinking water projects and lead pipe removal. The funds will be directed, in part, toward disadvantaged communities bearing the brunt of lead contamination. “We are ensuring that every American can turn on their tap and drink clean water,” Biden said.

Beyond Milwaukee, cities across the United States benefit from Biden’s commitment to clean water. Detroit has accelerated its efforts, replacing over 8,000 lead pipes this year to replace all 80,000 lead pipes within a decade. With support from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the American Rescue Plan, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is on track to replace all its lead pipes by 2026. Similarly, Denver and St. Paul have received millions in federal funding, setting ambitious targets to eliminate lead pipes by 2032 and within a decade. “Lead poisoning is a major public health issue,” Biden reiterated, pointing to the irreversible harm it causes, especially in children.

Addressing Inequities in Water Access for Black Communities

The NAACP’s recent report highlights the persistent inequities in water access, particularly in Black communities, where outdated or poorly maintained infrastructure is often the norm. The report noted that industrial pollution and inadequate environmental regulations exacerbate water contamination in these areas. “Water filters and testing are typically not affordable for those who need them most,” the NAACP stated, emphasizing that low-income households face additional challenges in securing safe drinking water.

The Biden administration is also tackling toxic PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” which persist in the environment and have been linked to various health issues. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the administration has allocated $10 billion to combat PFAS contamination in drinking water. The EPA has finalized a national standard to address these chemicals, a move that will protect an estimated 100 million Americans from PFAS exposure. Biden emphasized that his administration is “working to ensure that every community is protected from harmful contaminants,” underscoring the need for comprehensive solutions that encompass both lead and PFAS.

Building a Foundation for the Future

To further expand access to clean water, the Biden administration is also investing over $5 billion in Tribal water infrastructure, recognizing that half of Tribal households currently lack access to basic drinking water and sanitation. The administration has launched 900 clean water infrastructure projects for Tribal Nations to address this gap. “Every level of government—state, federal, and local—bears the responsibility to ensure access to safe drinking water,” the NAACP stated, emphasizing the need for a coordinated response to water quality issues.

In Wisconsin alone, the Investing in America agenda has brought $7.2 billion in public sector investments, including funding for high-speed internet, transportation, and clean energy initiatives. The investments include $1.7 billion to expand high-speed internet to 72,000 homes and small businesses, and $4.1 billion to rebuild roads, bridges, and transit systems, demonstrating the breadth of Biden’s commitment to infrastructure and economic revitalization.

The NAACP report also outlines key recommendations for state and federal governments, including establishing emergency response plans for water crises, enforcing water quality standards, and community engagement in water policy decisions. “The input and well-being of all communities must be factored into water policies,” the report emphasized, advocating for a more inclusive approach to public health and safety.

Securing Clean Water for All

Biden’s latest clean water initiative is part of a broader strategy to ensure that every American has access to this basic necessity. “The well-being of our nation depends on safe drinking water,” Biden said. The administration’s ambitious agenda aims to modernize water systems across the country, create jobs, and foster economic stability while addressing the long-standing disparities in water access that have impacted communities of color.

“Access to clean water is a fundamental human right,” the NAACP stated, a sentiment that Biden echoed in his commitment to replace every lead pipe and safeguard this essential resource for future generations.

Op-Ed: Why MAGA Policies Are Detrimental to Black Communities

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Ron Reynolds, Texas State Representative
Ron Reynolds, Texas State Representative

As a representative deeply invested in the well-being of my constituents, I feel compelled to shed light on the harmful impact of the MAGA agenda. While its proponents claim to champion America’s greatness, the reality is far from uplifting, especially for Black Americans.

Let’s be clear: Make America Great Again (MAGA) is not a call for progress; it’s a thinly veiled attempt to turn back the clock on the hard-fought gains of marginalized communities, including Black Americans. From voting rights to healthcare to economic opportunity, the policies espoused under the guise of MAGA pose a direct threat to the advancements we’ve made in the pursuit of equality and justice.

Take voting rights, for example. MAGA proponents peddle baseless claims of widespread voter fraud to justify voter suppression tactics that disproportionately target Black voters. The purpose of restrictive voter ID laws, purging voter rolls, and limiting early voting hours is to silence marginalized communities and maintain the status quo of power and privilege.

Healthcare is another area where the MAGA agenda falls short for Black Americans. The relentless attacks on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) threaten to strip millions of Americans, particularly those in underserved communities, of access to affordable healthcare. For Black Americans who already face disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, the repeal of the ACA would be nothing short of disastrous.

And let’s not forget about economic opportunity. While MAGA proponents tout a booming economy, the reality is that Black Americans continue to face disproportionately high rates of unemployment, poverty, and wage stagnation. The tax cuts and deregulation championed by the MAGA agenda only exacerbate these disparities, further widening the gap between the haves and the have-nots.

The most insidious message of MAGA is the underlying idea that America was somehow greater in the past—a past marred by slavery, white supremacy, segregation, and systemic racism. For Black Americans, the nostalgia of MAGA is not just misguided; it’s deeply offensive. It ignores the struggles and sacrifices of generations past who fought tirelessly for civil rights and equality.

As a nation, we cannot afford to romanticize an era of oppression and inequality. We must instead confront the injustices of the past and work towards a future where every American, regardless of race or background, can thrive. That means rejecting the divisive rhetoric of MAGA and embracing policies that promote justice, equality, and inclusion for all.

So, to my fellow Black Americans, I urge you to see through the empty promises of MAGA and recognize it for what it truly is: a dangerous regression that threatens to undo the progress we’ve made. Let’s unite in opposition to hate, white supremacy, and division and strive toward a future where all citizens can experience the full potential of America.

OP-ED: Embracing Black Men’s Voices: Rebuilding Trust and Unity in the Democratic Party

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Rep. Ron Reynolds is a devout Christian and a successful small business owner.

Rep. Ron Reynolds

As a Black man deeply committed to the values of equality, justice, and progress, I find myself reflecting on a concerning trend within our political landscape: the departure of Black men from the Democratic Party. This phenomenon is not merely a statistical anomaly but represents a rupture in the relationship between the party and a significant segment of its base. As we navigate this pivotal moment in history, it is imperative that we explore the underlying causes of this departure and chart a path toward reconciliation and renewal.

The decision of many Black men to disengage from the Democratic Party is rooted in a complex interplay of historical disenchantment, unmet promises, and a sense of disillusionment with the political establishment. For too long, the voices and concerns of Black men have been marginalized and overlooked within the Democratic Party, leaving many feeling unheard and undervalued. As a result, a growing number of Black men have begun to seek alternatives, searching for political homes where their perspectives are acknowledged and their interests are prioritized.

To address this rift and revitalize the Democratic Party’s relationship with Black men, we must embark on a journey of introspection and transformation. This journey begins with acknowledging and confronting our society’s systemic injustices and inequalities. It requires a commitment to dismantling institutional barriers and creating opportunities for economic empowerment, educational advancement, and social mobility for the Black community.

Moreover, it necessitates a fundamental shift in how the Democratic Party engages with Black men. We must foster genuine connections and meaningful dialogue instead of token gestures and superficial outreach efforts. We must create spaces where Black men feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their insights and experiences to the political process.

Central to this endeavor is recognizing that Black men are not a monolithic group but a diverse and multifaceted community with a wide range of perspectives and priorities. As such, our approach must be intersectional, considering the intersecting identities and experiences that shape the lives of Black men, including race, gender, sexuality, and class.

Furthermore, we must actively work to address the unique challenges and vulnerabilities faced by Black men, including the disproportionate impact of mass incarceration, police violence, economic inequality, and lack of access to healthcare. By centering the needs and concerns of Black men in our policy agendas and advocacy efforts, we can begin to rebuild trust and unity within the Democratic Party.

In conclusion, the exodus of Black men from the Democratic Party represents a wake-up call for all committed to justice and equality. It is a reminder that political loyalty cannot be taken for granted but must be earned through genuine engagement, meaningful action, and tangible results. As we confront this challenge, let us seize the opportunity to create a more inclusive and equitable political landscape where every voice is heard and every individual is valued.

It is time for the Democratic Party to embrace Black men’s voices and reclaim its legacy as a champion of progress and social justice. It starts with prioritizing federal voting rights legislation, including the Freedom to Vote Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, passing the George Floyd Policing Act, and raising the minimum wage to a livable wage.

The path forward may be challenging, but it is also filled with promise and potential. Let us rise to the occasion together and build a brighter future for all.

OP-ED: Remembering Our Past…Redefining Our Present…Reaffirming Our Future: “The Teaching Our Own History” Task Force

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Over the next several weeks, selected members of “The Teaching Our Own History” Task Force will publish articles for dissemination through The National Black Press, addressing the critical components for teaching our own history.

(First in a Series)

By Reverend Dr. RB Holmes, Jr., Chairman

“I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” Malcolm X

We have launched a statewide task force in conjunction with the Florida General Baptist Convention, Inc., Reverend Dr. Carl Johnson, President, to demand that the governor of Florida and the State Department of Education, teach Black history accurately, factually and forthrightly. In the spirit of Dr. King, in the State of Florida, we organized a task force labeled, “Teaching Our Own History.” Carter G. Woodson, the founder of Negro History Week, encouraged us to not sit idly by and allow this system to “mis”-educate Black people.

Our Task Force will present to the government, a comprehensive curriculum that correctly and effectively teaches Africa and African American history to students in Florida’s public schools.  Moreover, we will develop forty (40) plus “Freedom Schools” by 2025. We will not sit idly by and allow any governor to erase the accurate teaching of Black history.

The Objectives of “The Teaching Our Own History” Task Force are as follows:

  1. To encourage the accurate and unbiased teaching of African American history, culture, experiences and invaluable contributions in the state of Florida and this nation
  2. To develop strategies and solutions to support and strengthen public education in marginalized communities
  3. To develop and adequately support 40 Freedom Academies across the state of Florida
  4. To create significant after school programs for students in Title One schools in marginalized communities across the state of Florida, using an age-appropriate African American History Curriculum to strengthen reading, writing and mathematics skills
  5. To create summer “Freedom Schools” to teach youth the importance of African American contributions, self-respect, and personal responsibility
  6. To empower and encourage the three private HBCUs in Florida to develop laboratory schools on their respective campuses by 2025
  7. To cultivate and create partnerships with foundations, businesses and philanthropists to support programs and events that consistently celebrate the contributions of African American history, culture, literature, faith and heritage

We all must redouble our efforts to fight for social justice, voting rights, civil rights, diversity, equity and inclusion. The dismantling of programs of diversity, equity and inclusion is shameful and insulting.

Over the next several weeks, selected members of “The Teaching Our Own History” Task Force will publish articles for dissemination through The National Black Press, addressing the critical components for teaching our own history. I encourage our readers to enthusiastically engage in meaningful discussions in their various constituent groups and organizations as we “speak truth to power.”