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Celebrating Juneteenth

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June 19th is Juneteenth, a combination of June and 19th. On this day – 155 years ago, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, Union army General Gordon Granger read a proclamation, announcing that slaves were free in Galveston, Texas, one of the farthest regions of the United States.

This anniversary is also called Freedom Day and Jubilee Day. My personal favorite is Black Fourth of July.

Juneteenth is a good time to reflect. Think about white allies who want to know what they can do to support Black people.

First, I am not mad. I am engaged, protesting on social media, voting-by-mail and practicing social distance. And I am talking up the 2020 Census. Each and everyone of us must stand up and be counted. As this White House proves, our lives and livelihoods depend on our engagement.

Second, despite the global pandemic, economic crisis and centuries-long fight against racism, I am optimistic. I am proud to be a Black woman. In our country, Black woman have a critical role to play this year, especially with regards to the 2020 election.  We have the power to vote, turnout others to vote and leverage change for our community. Black women are one of the most influential voting blocs. We must use our power

When Black women show up, things change. Remember back in February – dog years ago – in South Carolina. Over 60 percent of primary voters in the Palmetto State are Black. Yet we are only 27 percent of the state’s population. Black voters picked up and pushed former Vice President Joe Biden over the top, helping him win enough delegates on June 2nd to become the Democratic presidential nominee.

Biden has promised to nominate a Black woman for the Supreme Court of the United States. And the pool of contenders for his running mate has not one, but four top candidates who are Black women – Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), US Representative Val Demings (D-FL), Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and former National Security Advisor Susan Rice.

Third, there are many reasons to celebrate this Juneteenth. After I count my blessings, I remind my white friends that they have an opportunity to be a change agent and ally. By starting with the Black colleague right next to you. Making sure your colleague is paid fairly, treated equitably and has the same opportunities to advance will make a big difference. Use your privilege to help end systemic racism – Hire a diverse staff and group of consultants or vendors.

And if you see bad behavior, say something.  That’s the only way the culture will change and end institutionalized racism. Just imagine if everyone took this step.

Finally, the fight against racism and white supremacy is an intergenerational, multiethnic effort. There is a role for everyone to play. Some will protest. Some will make policy. Some will spread the word. Some will fund good work.  Some will have multiple roles. I hope everyone will do something.  Find a way to contribute.

This Juneteenth let’s say good-bye to enduring images of white supremacy. So long Aunt Jemima, a 131-year-old brand image on Quaker Oats’ pancake mix. According to news reports, the credit for this move goes to a TikTok viral video, entitled “How to make a nonracist breakfast,” about the history of Aunt Jemima, a mammy caricature promoting the myth of a happy slave. Thank you, PepsiCo, owner of Quaker Oats, for starting a trend among food companies. Ta-ta Uncle Ben, the brand image on a rice from South Carolina. Bye-bye to a revised brand graphic that looks like its original Rastus, an insulting term for African Americans and the Black chef on the cream of wheat box.

If you are not sure, ask for advice. If you ask someone who is not ready to answer the question, ask someone else.  In these tough times, those of us ready for the hard fight must not give up. 

Happy Juneteenth!

Holli L. Holliday is president of Sisters Lead Sisters Vote, a nonprofit c4 organization for, by and of black women.

Photo Credit: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Black History

Trump Signs Executive Orders That Will Impact HBCUs and Black Schoolchildren

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President Donald Trump signed an executive order that will provide support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and establish a White House Initiative on HBCUs to “deliver high-quality education to a growing number of students.”

According to the White House, the Initiative will help develop private-sector partnerships, institutional development and workforce preparation in technology, health care, manufacturing and finance. 

The president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Dr. Harry L. Williams said, “Today’s executive order serves as strong reaffirmation of President Trump’s support of investment of historically Black colleges and universities. This executive order should serve as a call-to-action for corporations, foundations, members of Congress and state lawmakers to redouble their efforts to support HBCUs and their students. TMCF looks forward to continued engagement with the administration and Congress to deliver results for HBCUs and the students they serve via appropriations and other legislative actions.”

On the same day, Trump signed another executive order that removes safeguards for African American schoolchildren by eliminating an Obama-era initiative to protect Black schoolchildren from excessive disciplinary action.

During the Obama administration, the first Black president’s administration created guidelines that sought to prevent school discipline from having a disproportionate effect on minority students. Trump revoked the civil rights initiative during his first term and Biden did not formally restore it. 

At his signing today, Trump said his decision was especially important to the current Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who held the signed order.

“Under the Biden-Harris Administration, schools were forced to consider equity and inclusion when imposing discipline,” McMahon said in a statement. “Their policies placed racial equity quotas over student safety – encouraging schools to turn a blind eye to poor or violent behavior in the name of inclusion.”

She added, “Disciplinary decisions should be based solely on students’ behavior and actions.

Studies show that Black students are punished more often than their white counterparts.

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President Jimmy Carter Appointed the First Black Woman to Lead a Federal Agency

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President Jimmy Carter advanced opportunities for African Americans throughout his life,
advocating for justice and peace consistent with the Christian values he embraced. Since his
death on December 29 at age 100, Mr. Carter’s praises have been sung from his home state of
Georgia to points around the globe. And while the former president’s one-term in the White
House is dismissed by some political pundits for a lack of policies or accomplishments that
changed the course of history, his character and integrity set him apart.


Carter became the first president to appoint a Black woman head of a federal agency. He chose
Patricia Roberts Harris to lead the Housing and Urban Development when he took office in
1977.


Harris said, “I feel deeply proud and grateful this President chose me to knock down this barrier, but also a little sad about being the ‘first Negro woman,’ because it implies we were not
considered before.”


Senator William Proxmire questioned Carter’s choice, saying Harris came from too much wealth and influence to be an effective leader. But Carter stood by his decision, and Harris stayed in the position for two years.


The 39th president’s name is also included on the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame.


Civil rights activist, Rev. Al Sharpton recalled a conversation he shared with Carter.


“It was very significant, I was talking there at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial, and I was talking to President Clinton and President Carter,” Sharpton recalled. “And when Clinton and I finished talking, President Carter touched me on my arm and said, ‘How are you doing with your ministry, Al? I see you out there with your activism. Don’t leave your ministry … keep your prayer life going.’ And you could tell he sincerely meant it. He was not one who talked about his religion as a political kind of something you could say to voters.”


President Joe Biden declared January 9, 2025, a national day of mourning. Millions watched the former president’s funeral on television as he was remembered as a man of honesty,
compassion and faith – which included championing the rights of Americans who knew firsthand the struggle of injustice

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Black History

The Congressional Black Caucus Prepares for “Important” Work

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The Congressional Black Caucus started the 119th Congress with its largest membership. There were 62 members sworn in today.

“On behalf of the entire Congressional Black Caucus, congratulations to the members of the Executive Committee of the 119th Congress. 53 years after our Caucus’ founding, our work to improve the lives and conditions of Black people in America is more important than ever before,” said CBC President Steven Horsford.

Photo Credit: Ron Busby, U.S. Black Chambers Inc.

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