News List

The challenges facing Minnesota's black community sounded daunting and expensive to fix as U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar hosted a group of colleagues from the Congressional Black Caucus around Minneapolis on Friday. "Isn't it sad, in 2019, that we still have these challenges?" Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, of Texas, said at a morning session in downtown Minneapolis to discuss gaps in educational… Read more »

In Deborah Simmons’ recent column “CBC is not black America’s BFF,” the author oddly blames the plight of black America on labor unions and the Democratic Party.  Predictably rather than thoughtful analysis and an honest accounting of why black America must fight — especially in the Trump-era — the author relies on baseless rhetoric conservatives have used for generations to suggest… Read more »

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee made the case for reparations for the descendants of slaves in part because of President Trump's behavior.   Under the Texas Democrat's proposal, a commission would be created to determine who would receive the payments and how much. "Tragically, 250 years of slavery in the United States for those enslaved Africans did not receive workman’s comp, salary,… Read more »

There’s nothing like going home. As observances of the 400th anniversary of Africans landing in colonial America continue, members of Congress are among those making pilgrimages to the motherland. This summer, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi traveled on official business to Ghana. At least a dozen CBC members journeyed to the West African… Read more »

Immigrant rights and the importance of the 2020 Census were in the focus at a town hall convened by Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke Tuesday night at Brooklyn College.  The congresswoman was joined by a panel of experts that included Jeff T. Behler, regional director of the U.S. Census Bureau; Jose Interiano, deputy chief at the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office; Sonia Lin, deputy… Read more »

Maxine Waters, chairwoman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services, and a dozen other members of the Congressional Black Caucus slammed federal housing chief Ben Carson over a recent decision to clamp down on critical hurricane recovery money destined for the U.S. Virgin Islands. “Your decision may unfairly delay desperately needed funding for the Virgin… Read more »

A case headed to the U.S. Supreme Court that could have a tremendously negative impact on the Black community’s civil rights as it pertains to fair play in contracting and other measures is beginning to capture attention. Nearly a week after the Justice Department filed an amicus brief in regard to the lawsuit between Entertainment Studios chairman and CEO Byron Allen and… Read more »

THE AFRO — Federal and local regulations have attempted to curb youth usage, primarily focusing on policing retailers for sales to minors and proscribing flavors and formulas particularly appealing or solely appealing to children. When the FDA announced that new products entering the market would be subject to additional scrutiny, products already at market were given amnesty through… Read more »

The Congressional Black Caucus, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have both denounced Israel's decision to deny Rep. Ilhan Omar and Rep. Rashida Tlaib entry into Israel for a visit. Yesterday, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) released the following statement condemning the Israeli government’s decision to deny entry into Israel to Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida… Read more »

Today, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) released the following statement condemning the Israeli government’s decision to deny entry into Israel to Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib. “The Israeli government should immediately reverse this shortsighted decision to deny Members of Congress entry into Israel. Allies are supposed to be able to disagree without being… Read more »