In one of the best monthly economic report in years, unemployment in April dropped to 7.5 percent, a four-year low, as the U.S. economy added 165,000 jobs. But among African-Americans, the positive economic signs were almost invisible, as joblessness for them remained high, at 13.2 percent. The overall numbers were a welcome surprise since many [...]
Bob Law, Coalition Leading Black Spending Power Campaign
March 18, 2013 | Posted by
A coalition of media owners, professional and political organizations have launched a Million Dollar Black Spending Power campaign – an initiative geared toward reclaiming Black economic power. The coalition is calling on African- American consumers across the nation to redirect a minimum of $20 per week in spending to Black-owned businesses. The organizers project that this [...]
With More Resources Directed at Black Males, Their Plight is Improving
October 2, 2012 | Posted by
While the statistics on young black males in the U.S. are alarming, their plight has been receiving increased funding and attention from the philanthropic community across the country as a number of groups and wealthy donors such as New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and George Soros have come to realize that the fate of [...]
Michelle Obama: Voters’ Rights are ‘The March of Our Time’
September 23, 2012 | Posted by
Closing out the Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Conference, first lady Michelle Obama focused on the importance of preserving the right to vote. As the keynote speaker of the CBC’s annual Phoenix Awards gala, Obama identified voters’ rights as the nation’s most important civil rights issue. Reminding the audience of black lawmakers and leaders of the [...]
CBC Leader: Blacks Who Don’t Vote “Ought to Give Their Color Back”
September 21, 2012 | Posted by
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), the chairmen of the Congressional Black Caucus, issued a powerful challenge to black voters on Thursday, saying that eligible African Americans who choose not to vote “ought to give us their color back.” The comments came during Cleaver’s address at a CBC forum on voting rights, criticizing an apparent lack of [...]
Congressional Black Caucus Panel: Future of Jazz Among Black Folk
September 21, 2012 | Posted by
Every year, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation throws a concert and panel discussion as part of its annual conference. It’s notable not only as a musical event — this year’s show features drummer Terri Lyne Carrington’s take on the classic album Money Jungle, featuring vocalist Lizz Wright, as well as alto saxophonist Antonio Hart’s quintet [...]
Cong. Black Caucus Blasts Artur Davis before His GOP Speech
August 28, 2012 | Posted by
On the day that former Obama lieutenant Artur Davis is set to give his big speech at the Republican National Convention making his defection from President Obama official, Davis got a “Dear Artur”letter from 14 members of the Congressional Black Caucus, blasting his “unconscionable” support now for voter ID laws. In the letter, the member [...]
Congressional Black Caucus Offended By Allen West Chick-fil-A Lunch Choice
August 8, 2012 | Posted by
Florida Republican Congressman Allen West has raised the ire of the Congressional Black Caucus for delivering Chick-fil-A chicken and biscuits to their weekly meeting, then walking out. Though it happened six months ago, Florida Rep. Alcee Hastings said he has no doubt that West meant the gesture as an “in your face” challenge to the [...]
Black House Members Force Congress to Vote on Reprimand for Issa
June 29, 2012 | Posted by
A day after House Republicans voted to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress, the members of the Congressional Black Caucus got their revenge by forcing the House today to vote on a resolution scolding California Rep. Darrell Issa, the engineer behind the contempt vote, for mistreatment of Holder and behavior that they [...]
House Holds Atty General Eric Holder in Contempt
June 28, 2012 | Posted by
The House of Representatives today followed through on its threat to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress for refusing to hand over additional documents beyond the more than 7,600 he has already given to Congress in the botched ATF Fast and Furious Operation. And led by Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and the [...]
