Special to the AfroRyan Coleman The origins of DEI programs date to the Civil Rights Movement, which played apivotal role in accelerating efforts to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed employment discrimination based on race, religion, sex, color and national origin. It also banned segregation in public places, […]
Category: Civil Rights
Black Press Day 2025 highlights need for innovation and resilience in media
At the NNPA Fund’s 2025 Black Press Day event, NNPA President and CEO Benjamin Chavis reaffirmed the Black Press’s role in advocating for justice and equality. He emphasized adapting to digital platforms while preserving print’s impact and urged stronger collaboration between the Black Press and the Black church. Quoting Freedom’s Journal, he reflected on progress and ongoing challenges, stressing that Black media must continue to be the trusted voice of Black America.
‘More than brick and mortar:’ DC begins removing ‘Black Lives Matter’ plaza near the White House
Crews began removing the large yellow “Black Lives Matter” letters from the street near the White House on March 10, in response to pressure from Republicans in Congress, with the goal of replacing them with city-sponsored murals.
Alice Allison Dunnigan: The pioneering White House correspondent
Alice A. Dunnigan was the first African-American female correspondent at the White House and the first Black female member of the Senate and House of Representatives press galleries, and she was a trailblazer in journalism and civil rights.
Ida B. Wells-Barnett: The journalist whose legacy lives on
Ida B. Wells-Barnett was a pioneering journalist, educator and advocate who used her pen and voice to document and address the injustices faced by Black Americans, and her legacy is being revived this year with the release of a book and coin.
Letters, love and legacy: The AFRO’s historic column comes to life again
Afro Charities hosted a mixer and networking session centered around their “Re-Reading the News” series, inspired by the AFRO Archives’ “Lonesome Hearts” column, where attendees exchanged letters and formed connections.
‘Bloody Sunday’ 60th anniversary marked in Selma with remembrances and concerns about the future
The 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday was marked in Selma, Alabama, with calls to recommit to the fight for equality and a reminder of the importance of federal agencies in making America a democracy for all.
Fighting to keep Blackness
Trump supporters have introduced bills to remove the Black Lives Matter Plaza sign in Washington, D.C. and the Freedom Riders Museum in Montgomery, Ala., while Democrats are pushing back against the anti-DEI and anti-woke message by reintroducing the Voting Rights Act.
Robert Clark, Mississippi’s first Black lawmaker after Civil Rights era, dies at 96
Robert G. Clark, who became the first Black legislator in Mississippi since Reconstruction, died at age 96, having served as chairman of both the House Ethics Committee and the Education Committee, and as speaker pro tempore from 1992-2004.
24-hour marathon livestream launched as counterpoint to 47th president’s State of the Union
The “State of the People” town hall, hosted by Joy Reid and featuring various civil rights leaders and national advocates, will provide a 24-hour alternative to the expected State of the Union address, focusing on the truth and offering solutions for the nation’s challenges.
Law school project finds slavery citations still being used today
Prigg v. Pennsylvania, a 1842 Supreme Court ruling, continues to be cited in 274 other cases, showing the lasting impact of legal principles related to the ownership of other humans, despite the abolition of slavery in 1865.
Lifelong New York civil rights advocate and NAACP leader Hazel Dukes dies at 92
Hazel Dukes, the president of the New York State chapter of the NAACP and a lifelong civil rights advocate, passed away at the age of 92, leaving behind a legacy that has touched every aspect of the movement.

