Rep. Marc Veasey, a Texas Democrat and longtime Congressional Black Caucus member, announced he will not seek re-election following aggressive GOP-led redistricting that weakened all three Black-held congressional seats in the state. The map changes—approved by the U.S. Supreme Court—have reduced Black political representation and prompted political reshuffling, including Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s Senate run, while Veasey pivots to a campaign for Tarrant County judge.
Author Archives: Lauren Burke
Posted inHBCU
As others retreat amid anti-diversity sentiment, MacKenzie Scott deepens her commitment to HBCUs with $63M gift to Morgan State and $38M gift to UMES
Morgan State University is now the recipient of a $63 million donation from Amazon co-founder MacKenzie Scott. President David Wilson described the gift as not just a financial boost, but an affirmation of the university’s trajectory as a research institution.
Posted inObituaries
In Memoriam: Former Detroit congresswoman and CBC chair Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick dies at 80
Carolyn Jean Cheeks Kilpatrick, an assertive advocate for Detroit and Black owned business, died on Oct. 7 in Atlanta. She was 80.
Posted inPolitics
‘107 Days’: Kamala Harris’ book rockets off the shelves in first week
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Publisher Simon & Schuster announced that the campaign memoir of former Vice President Kamala Harris “107 Days” has sold 350,000 copies in one week. The sales total includes print, ebooks, and audiobooks.
Posted inNAACP
For the 1st time in its 116-year history, the NAACP won’t invite sitting president to its annual convention
For the first time in its 116-year history, the NAACP will not invite a sitting president to its national convention, citing the 47th president’s attacks on democracy and civil rights. The organization criticized his authoritarian policies, including voter suppression, military crackdowns on civilians and the removal of diversity-focused programs, while the White House accused the NAACP of sowing division.
Posted inNational News
House GOP passes budget bill that prompts largest cuts to health care in history
The Republican-led House passed a budget bill with historic cuts to Medicaid and Medicare, sparking backlash from Democrats who warn it will strip millions of Americans of health care and essential services to fund tax breaks for the wealthy.
Posted inAfro Briefs
Rev. William Barber decries GOP budget in ‘Moral Monday’ protest at the U.S. Capitol
The Rev. William Barber traveled to the U.S. Capitol to protest proposed $1.5 trillion Republican budget cuts—targeting Medicaid, food aid, and housing—framing them as economic injustice that threatens vulnerable Americans.
Posted inPolitics
Baltimore mayor condemns White House administration’s cuts to public safety funding
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott is calling on the 47th president’s administration to reverse nearly $200 million in DOJ cuts to public safety grants, warning the move endangers progress in reducing violent crime and supporting victims. The cuts impact critical programs nationwide, including violence prevention, officer safety and victim services, sparking fears of long-term setbacks.