News

State of Black America

Monday, 30 March 2009 16:58

The National Urban League is calling on President Barack Obama to specifically address Black unemployment, foreclosures, education and health care.

John Hope Franklin democratized American history

Monday, 30 March 2009 16:54

NAACP Chairman Julian Bond and NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous noting the death of historian and activist John Hope Franklin, said, “America has lost a real treasure with the death of John Hope Franklin. He was a pioneer in democratizing American history, giving Black Americans a proper place in the development of the United States. His magnificent work, From Slavery to Freedom, insures people of color will not be forgotten when the American story is told. He was more than America's most prominent historian - his civic activism set a high standard for academics, marching in Selma, serving on numerous commissions and advising presidents.

Congolese woman wins Freedom Prize

Monday, 30 March 2009 16:52 GIN

(GIN) - “As a journalist, I found that Congolese women were silenced and I decided to battle for their freedom of expression.”

HUD Secretary details housing plan's benefits for African-Americans

Monday, 30 March 2009 16:51 Zenitha Prince, Special to the NNPA from the Afro-American Newspapers

WASHINGTON (NNPA) - Black homeowners who were unfairly targeted for the subprime mortgages that helped topple the American economy now face the threat of similar predatory practices, Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan told African American reporters this week.

Ellison applauds White House Liberian extension

Monday, 30 March 2009 16:45

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) welcomed President Obama’s recent decision to extend Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) status by 12 months to Liberians residing legally in the United States. There are approximately 3,600 Liberians in the United States on a temporary status including more than 1,000 Minnesotans.

State of Black America Report

Friday, 27 March 2009 17:05

The National Urban League is calling on President Barack Obama to specifically address Black unemployment, foreclosures, education and health care.

Federal Reserve: “Community Reinvestment Act – Not the Cause of the Housing Crisis”

Thursday, 19 March 2009 14:11

WASHINGTON, D.C. – US Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) welcomed the unequivocal conclusion of Federal Reserve officials that the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) was not responsible for the on-going housing crisis.

Unemployment rate nearly double for Black workers

Monday, 16 March 2009 14:13 Dorothy Rowley, Special to the NNPA from the Afro-American Newspapers

WASHINGTON (NNPA) – “Astounding” is how President Obama, speaking March 6 in Columbus, OH, characterized the nation’s new Unemployment figures - a staggering 8.1 percent, the highest since 1983 as employers pick up the pace of layoffs.

McCollum secures $20 million appropriation for Central Corridor Light Rail Transit

Tuesday, 03 March 2009 16:36

Washington, DC –Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), Minnesota’s member on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, today announced $20 million in federal funding for the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit project has been included in fiscal year 2009 omnibus appropriations bill slated for final passage on Wednesday.

GOP's Steele rejects Obama 'coat tailing' theory; Sets out to 'engage' Black community

Monday, 02 March 2009 18:36 Hazel Trice Edney, NNPA Editor-in-Chief

WASHINGTON (NNPA)– New Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele, the first African-American to hold the seat, rejects the notion that his Jan. 30 win was largely due to political “coat tailing” of the celebrated Barack Obama, America’s first Black president.

Obama lifts America's spirit in speech of hope, budget details to be released this week

Monday, 02 March 2009 18:27 Hazel Trice Edney, NNPA Editor-in-Chief

WASHINGTON (NNPA) – In his first speech before Congress, filled with the soaring inspiration reminiscent of his campaign, President Barack Obama Tuesday night promised the nation, “We will rebuild, we will recover, and the United States of America will emerge stronger than before.”