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How Much is Nike Sacrificing with Kaepernick Ad Campaign

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The Nike swoosh went up in smoke literally as angry consumers pushed back against the company’s decision to make former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick the face of its new ‘Just Do It’ ad campaign. Kaepernick is a polarizing figure for many and the lightning rod for the nation’s conversation about the social justice protest he ignited when he began kneeling during the National Anthem in 2016. But, while some set fire to their merchandise, others were motivated to purchase.

“This is a bold and courageous move on Nike’s behalf!” says Rev. T.C. Johnson, one of the ministers who created a video last year calling for a boycott of the NFL as a response to the owners’ alleged collusion against Kaepernick. “Since Nike has stood for real justice in a true democracy, I will, and we can stand with Nike by purchasing all sporting needs from Nike until appropriate change occurs.”

When the smoke clears, Nike may find itself with some new customers and a renewed popularity. Time magazine reports Nike is experiencing a robust uptick in sales since the Kaepernick ad was announced. According to the report, online sales have increased 31%.

But, the research firm Morning Consult reports consumers have mixed emotions about the new 30th anniversary campaign. According to the survey, 24% have an unfavorable response to the brand which is a 7% increase linked to the ad. The survey also included a question aimed at gauging consumers’ opinions of Nike’s motivation with 32% saying the ad was “mostly an effort to recognize Kaepernick’s efforts” while 38% tagged the campaign as a “publicity stunt.”

Nike’s stock rebounded from an initial drop following the ad campaign announcement. And, the company is staying the course, riding out the turbulence with the awareness that the global customer is a significant contributor to its bottom line, and there are apparently many Americans who support its decision.

ESPN sportscaster Shannon Sharpe says he’s “extremely proud of and happy…Kudos to Nike.”

The National Football League is the latest arena for the nation’s increasingly bitter debate over cultural issues. The blistering tweets from the White House have fanned the anger of football fans who take issue with players for their decision to take a knee during the National Anthem as a silent protest against racial injustice. Ratings and attendance may suffer, again, this season as a result.

So far, only one sports team is ditching its Nike athletic wear in response to the Kaepernick campaign. The College of the Ozarks, a private Christian college located near Branson, Missouri, plans to remove all uniforms bought from Nike that have its logo. Officials at the College say the ad campaign promotes “an attitude of division and disrespect” toward America.

 

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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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