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First-Ever Congressional Hearing on Slave Reparations Held on Juneteenth

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In what many viewed as a nod to the significant role African Americans have played in the nation’s history, the House of Representatives held its first reparations hearing on Juneteenth while millions around the country celebrated the tradition for the place it holds as the day in 1865 when slaves in Texas finally learned they were free, months after the Civil War ended.

With high-profile testimony from author Ta-Nehisi Coates to actor Danny Glover to U.S. Senator Cory Booker, the Congressional hearing sent social media into overdrive as opinions were shared about the “economic underpinnings” of America’s financial success and its undeniable roots in slavery.

“There is some unfinished business,” Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton, A Maryland Episcopal Bishop said. “It’s not just about writing a check.”

Coates disagreed and so do many others who believe reparations should include monetary compensation and not just programs to address a roster of wrongdoing. Coates is credited with pushing the national dialogue in 2014 when he wrote an article about the issue. Former Congressman John Conyers introduced reparations in 2007 and did so every year until he retired in 2017. Texas Congresswoman Shelia Jackson picked up the baton and championed H.R. 40 in Conyers’ absence, and a House Judiciary subcommittee sponsored today’s proceedings which drew hundreds to Capitol Hill. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for a reparations study.

Less than 24 hours before the hearing, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell unleased a torrent of criticism for his comments opposing reparations.

“I don’t think reparations for something that happened 150 years ago, for whom none of us currently living are responsible is a good idea,” he said. McConnell indicated the country had attempted to atone for its “original sin” of slavery by “electing an African American President.” And, according to a 2016 Marist poll, the Senator is not the only one against reparations.

Economist and Civil Rights champion Julianne Malveaux pointed out that the impact of slavery and its legacy of racism persist into the 21st century.

“Zip code deals with the food you eat…those are the vestiges of slavery,” she stated.

Later this year the 400-Year Commission on American African History , which Congress established to commemorate the first Africans who arrived in the English Colonies in 1619, will sponsor events devoted to contributions made by African Americans.  Some cities celebrated today as an ‘International Day of Drumming and Healing.’ In Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Houston and New Orleans festivities were planned.

Before the sun rose in Pine Bluff, the church bell tolled at Elm Grove Baptist Church where Rev. Jesse Turner is the Senior Pastor, signaling the start of Juneteenth. Turner also organized a conversation around race held Wednesday evening at the area’s Arts and Science Center.

“These things have fostered inequality and treatment that was thrust upon us,” said Turner. “And, so that’s where the healing comes in. How do we heal? From Jim Crow as a nation…we can’t overlook them, can’t wink your eye at them. You just can’t say these things didn’t happen. Lynching happened, and you can’t overlook the profound impact these things had on a people. How do you eradicate the racism? Let’s talk…we have to deal with them and put them on the table.”

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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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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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