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How Holiday Generosity Highlights African American Giving

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As the year draws to a close, displays of generosity are as visible as other signs of the Holiday Season. Amid the ornaments and decorations, you will find Black Americans donating to others, ranging from the collective efforts of the Salvation Army’s annual bell ringing campaign to organized church ministries to individual outreach that is often spontaneous. Overall, 62% of Americans plan to donate in November or December while 15% of adults give to charity only during those two months.

In Little Rock, Arkansas, a heartwarming demonstration of philanthropy unfolded recently in a parking lot.

Jessie, who declined to give his last name, found himself on the receiving end of an unexpected gift.

“I’ve been seeing him up here every day, and he sits right here, and he doesn’t ask anybody for anything,” Sandra, who asked to remain anonymous, explained. “One particular day he was really, really hungry.”

Jessie nodded and added, “I was starving, and it was cold. The Holidays are coming up, and I don’t have any family.” 

Sandra immediately changed her plans and invited Jessie to follow her on his bicycle to a nearby restaurant where he ordered food. 

“At the restaurant, I heard the lady say, ‘That’ll be $82.00,'” Jessie recalled. “Sandra said, ‘That’s all you want to eat?'”

Jessie picked up the story from there. 

“She paid for the food. And before she left, she also gave me $60.00.”

Sandra and Jessie embraced as they shared memories of that day. She pointed heavenward with tears in her eyes.

In towns and cities around the country this Holiday Season, there will be many examples of neighbor helping neighbor. Most will remain unknown, but they are impactful and underscore the powerful legacy of Black Americans helping others in need. 

Formal organizations like GiveButter identify national efforts to uplift and assist through year-round campaigns sponsored by non-profits. August has been designated as Black Philanthropy Month, but the giving nature of Black Americans is not limited to one month. Ask Jessie and the millions of others sustained by kind hearted strangers and friends.  

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The Fog Is Lifting and Protests Have Started as Americans Respond to Trump’s Audacity   

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Donald Trump’s shock and awe campaign stunned Americans of all races – what many consider his unabashed disregard for the rule of law making headlines around the globe. But as the astonishment wears off, Black Americans – along with many others – are organizing to fight back.

From coast to coast, the 50501 Project earlier this week sent thousands to their state capitals in all 50 states for at least 50 protestsl in one day.

One of the organizers of the mass protests said, “People need something to connect to.”

Pastor Jamal Bryant, Senior Pastor of New Birth Baptist Church in Atlanta, and Ron Busby, president of the U.S. Black Chambers have initiated a 40-Day Target Fast. Target announced in January that it will end its DEI programs much like Trump has done with the federal government’s.

Bryant said, “They are trying to kiss the ring of the president who thinks he’s a king.”

The Target boycott begins on March 5 and calls for Black Americans to “fast” from shopping at the Minneapolis-based retailer until April 19. The campaign extends through Lent, the period of fasting Christians observe in preparation for Easter.

FOLLOW THE MONEY 

Plans to boycott major retailers like Walmart, Target and Starbucks for abandoning their DEI initiatives is gaining traction. And companies that continue to honor their commitment to equitable opportunities are seeing a groundswell of support. Apple, Microsoft and Home Depot – among others – have stayed the course.

In New York, Rev. Al Sharpton and members of his National Action Network chose Costco as the recipient of their financial support by holding a “buy-in” to demonstrate appreciation of Costco’s adherence to DEI.

“We are not going to allow him to turn back the clock on our rights,” Sharpton said.

But 19 state Attorneys General have warned Costco and threatened to sue the retailer for its plans to maintain DEI programs.

As Trump and his billionaire friend Elon Musk turn the federal government topsy-turvy by firing some federal employees and offering buyouts to 40,000 others, Gwynne Wilcox has filed a lawsuit against Trump and Marvin Kaplan who Trump installed as the chairman of the National Labor Relations Board.

Wilcox has been a member of the NLRB since 2021 and was selected as its chair by former President Joe Biden in 2023. She says her firing was “a blatant violation of the law.” 

According to Wilcox’s lawsuit, her firing “defies ninety years of Supreme Court precedent that has ensured the independence of critical government agencies.” The filing also says the president failed to cite examples of “neglect of duty or malfeasance in office”, as required when firing the agency’s board members.

Through a flurry of executive orders and subsequent injunctions issued by federal judges, Trump has ushered in a chaotic and tense period of governance that even some members of the Republican-controlled Congress have suggested is an audacious power grab.  

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With RFK, Jr.’s Confirmation Almost Certain, There Is Growing Concern for the Health of Black Americans

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The third week of Donald Trump’s administration delivered more unprecedented racism in modern politics and more pushback.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who Trump has nominated to lead the Department of Health and Human Services,  moved one step closer to confirmation last, but without support from Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD). 

During RFK’s confirmation hearing, Alsobrooks – one of two Black female U.S. Senators – questioned him about comments he’s made about African Americans’ immune systems. 

Kennedy has said, “We should not be giving Black people the same vaccine schedule that’s given to whites because their immune system is better than ours.”

Alsobrooks asked him to explain his suggestion, adding, “So what different vaccine schedule would you say I should have received? With all due respect, that is so dangerous.”

According to a Mayo study, African Americans do present a higher antibody response after MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccination compared to white people. But the author of the study says that does not mean there needs to be a different vaccination schedule because race, sex and other factors often generate different responses.  

The tense exchange made headlines and directed a laser focus on Kennedy’s well-known controversial position as an anti-vaccine leader. 

Federal health workers targeted

There  is more trouble for Black federal health workers after NBC News reported that a website known as “DEI Watch List” published the photos, names and public information of some workers in health agencies, describing them as “targets.”

Workers listed on the website had supported DEI initiatives, donated to Democrats and the majority of them were African American.

Dr. Benjamin Georges, the executive director of the American Public Health Association said, “This is a scare tactic to try to intimidate people who are trying to do their work and do it admirably. It’s clear racism.”

Georges has also described Kennedy as “unqualified” to be the nation’s chief health officer.

If confirmed, Kennedy would oversee a $1.7 trillion annual budget and 13 agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health.

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Carter G. Woodson’s Black History Work Is Still Standing Despite Erasure Efforts

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Dr. Carter G. Woodson, known as the “Father of Black History,” made it his life’s mission to ensure that the contributions of Black Americans were recognized and celebrated. As the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History and the creator of Black History Month, he laid the groundwork for the way we engage with Black history today. In the 21st century, his vision has evolved in ways he likely never imagined.

Woodson believed history should be accessible to all, but today, efforts to erase Black history from the classroom and public discourse are increasing. Across the U.S., legislation restricting discussion of race and systemic inequality threatens to undo decades of progress. Books about Black historical figures are being banned, and curriculums are being revised to downplay the impact of slavery and segregation. These actions are in direct opposition to Woodson’s mission to ensure that Black history is studied and valued.

Pulitzer Prize winner and investigative journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, who authored The 1619 Project, has spoken about the importance of Black history in education.

“What the research shows is that when you teach Black children Black history, they do better academically … this is not shocking,” Hannah-Jones said.

Hannah-Jones’ stance reinforced what Woodson understood nearly a century ago: representation in education matters. When students see themselves reflected in history, it boosts confidence, engagement and overall success. Yet, at a time when this knowledge is needed most, it’s increasingly under attack in schools.

The digital age

Despite these challenges, social media has become a powerful tool for preserving and sharing Black history. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram and X allow educators, historians and content creators to reach global audiences, keeping Black history alive beyond February. Viral threads, digital archives and hashtags like #BlackHistory365 help counter misinformation and ensure that Black history remains a year-round conversation.

Woodson couldn’t have predicted the digital age, but his mission remains alive and well. His efforts continue to inspire new generations and remind them that Black history isn’t simply a dusty relic but remains an essential part of a people’s identity.

Would Dr. Woodson be surprised at how far his vision has come? Perhaps. But in today’s fight against historical erasure, one thing is clear: his work is far from over. In fact, a new era of preservation has begun.

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