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A President for Every American

NNPA NEWSWIRE — In addition to keeping his promise to appoint the first Black woman to the Supreme Court, President Biden has signed into law bold and history-making legislation, to include the American Rescue Plan (ARP), the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the CHIPS and Science Act (C&SA), the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), and the Honoring Our PACT Act.
The post A President for Every American first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 years ago

May 23, 2023

Oakland Post

OP-ED: A President for Every American

By Congressman James E. Clyburn

In his January 20, 2021, inaugural address, President Joe Biden pledged an administration that looks like America and to “fight as hard for those who did not support [him] as for those who did.” It is clear and convincing that President Biden has kept those promises.

I often say the 117^th Congress was the most productive since the 89^th and 90^th Congresses, which enacted President Lyndon B. Johnson’s vision of a “Great Society” and led to his appointment of the first Black American, Thurgood Marshall, to the United States Supreme Court.

In addition to keeping his promise to appoint the first Black woman to the Supreme Court, President Biden has signed into law bold and history-making legislation, to include the American Rescue Plan (ARP), the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the CHIPS and Science Act (C&SA), the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), and the Honoring Our PACT Act.

The ARP pulled us out of the trenches of the COVID-19 pandemic by investing $350 billion to help state, local, and tribal governments fight the pandemic and build a strong and equitable recovery. We expanded access to health insurance, reopened schools and businesses safely, and expanded the Child Tax Credit, which cut child poverty nearly in half.

The IIJA ushered in over $220 billion in funding and 32,000 specific projects or awards, reaching over 4,500 communities across all 50 states, D.C., and territories in 18 months. The C&SA is strengthening our supply chains and has put us on the fast track to reclaiming our place as a leader in manufacturing on the world stage.

The IRA capped the cost of insulin for Medicare Part D recipients at $35 a month, includes the largest U.S. investment in the fight against the climate crisis ever, and will cut the deficit by an estimated $300 billion.

The BSCA has helped reform policing by investing in community-based violence prevention programs, children and family mental health services, protections for victims of domestic abuse, and support for state red flag laws.

The PACT Act provided our toxic-exposed Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with access to lifesaving benefits and care, and rectified some long-standing inequities suffered by our Vietnam veterans.

One would think my Republican colleagues would be celebrating these historic investments. After all, a recent Financial Times report revealed that more than 75% of these capital investments of at least $100 million have gone to Republican-held Congressional districts. But not a single Republican voted for the ARP or the IRA. Only a handful of Republicans supported the IIJA, only 34 House Republicans joined the Democrats to pass the PACT Act, and only 24 stood alongside us for the C&SA.

My home state of South Carolina serves as a perfect example. I was the lone House member to vote for all six bills. One Republican, Nancy Mace, voted for the PACT Act, and one Republican, Tom Rice, voted for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Still, that same Financial Times report found that South Carolina is the leading beneficiary of new manufacturing projects that have occurred because of the Biden-Harris Administration’s transformational investments.

Specifically, South Carolina is experiencing a boom because of new manufacturing incentives created by the IRA and the CHIPS and Science Act. We just welcomed Volkswagen’s Scout Motors expansion, an over $2 billion investment that will yield over 4,000 jobs in Blythewood, South Carolina. Last December, Redwood Materials announced a $3.5 billion investment to construct a new electric battery facility in Berkeley County, the largest single economic development in South Carolina’s history.

SEM Wafertech, a new solar manufacturer, just came to Sumter; Proterra, an electric battery manufacturer, is expanding in Greer; and Kontrolmatik, another battery manufacturer is coming to Colleton County. And of course, new incentives for electric vehicles and semiconductor production have made South Carolina well positioned to continue expansions at BMW, Volvo, and SKF.

We are also making foundational investments in our crumbling infrastructure. Earlier this month, we announced over $1.3 billion in ARP funding to modernize and upgrade water infrastructure across over 200 South Carolina communities. And, thanks to the ARP and the IIJA, South Carolina finally has the funding it needs to bring high-speed internet service to every unserved household by the end of 2026.

Our broadband investments not only focus on high-speed access, but also on affordability and adoption. The IIJA created the Affordable Connectivity Program to provide a $30 monthly discount on internet service to all qualifying households. Over 336,000 South Carolinians currently participate in the program.

Our efforts on broadband are underway and yielding tangible results. A recent report listed South Carolina as the 6^th best state for internet coverage and price—a 25-spot increase from 2020. This will connect our rural communities to health care and job opportunities, our children to education, and every South Carolinian to opportunity.

We are on the precipice of a future in which this country will continue serving as a beacon of opportunity and advancement for all. President Biden’s “Investing in America” agenda is inspiring bold changes, and whether you supported him or not, he is making this country’s greatness accessible and affordable for all.

The post A President for Every American first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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Black Feminist Movement Mobilizes in Response to National Threats

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States.

Published

7 days ago

May 30, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States. The event, led by the organization Black Feminist Future, is headlined by activist and scholar Angela Y. Davis. Paris Hatcher, executive director of Black Feminist Future, joined Black Press USA’s Let It Be Known to outline the mission and urgency behind the gathering, titled “Get Free.” “This is not just a conference to dress up and have a good time,” Hatcher said. “We’re building power to address the conditions that are putting our lives at risk—whether that’s policing, reproductive injustice, or economic inequality.” Hatcher pointed to issues such as rising evictions among Black families, the rollback of bodily autonomy laws, and the high cost of living as key drivers of the event’s agenda. “Our communities are facing premature death,” she said.

Workshops and plenaries will focus on direct action, policy advocacy, and practical organizing skills. Attendees will participate in training sessions that include how to resist evictions, organize around immigration enforcement, and disrupt systemic policies contributing to poverty and incarceration. “This is about fighting back,” Hatcher said. “We’re not conceding anything.” Hatcher addressed the persistent misconceptions about Black feminism, including the idea that it is a movement against men or families. “Black feminism is not a rejection of men,” she said. “It’s a rejection of patriarchy. Black men must be part of this struggle because patriarchy harms them too.” She also responded to claims that organizing around Black women’s issues weakens broader coalitions. “We don’t live single-issue lives,” Hatcher said. “Our blueprint is one that lifts all Black people.”

The conference will not be streamed virtually, but recaps and updates will be posted daily on Black Feminist Future’s YouTube channel and Instagram account. The event includes performances by Tank and the Bangas and honors longtime activists including Billy Avery, Erica Huggins, and Alexis Pauline Gumbs. When asked how Black feminism helps families, Hatcher said the real threat to family stability is systemic oppression. “If we want to talk about strong Black families, we have to talk about mass incarceration, the income gap, and the systems that tear our families apart,” Hatcher said. “Black feminism gives us the tools to build and sustain healthy families—not just survive but thrive.”

Stacy M. Brown

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Hoover’s Commutation Divides Chicago as State Sentence Remains

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial.

Published

1 week ago

May 29, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The federal sentence for Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover has been commuted, but he remains incarcerated under a 200-year state sentence in Illinois. The decision by Donald Trump to reduce Hoover’s federal time has reignited longstanding debates over his legacy and whether rehabilitation or continued punishment is warranted. The commutation drew immediate public attention after music executive Jay Prince and artist Chance the Rapper publicly praised Trump’s decision. “I’m glad that Larry Hoover is home,” said Chance the Rapper. “He was a political prisoner set up by the federal government. He created Chicago Votes, mobilized our people, and was targeted for that.”

But Hoover, the founder of the Gangster Disciples, is not home—not yet. Now in federal custody at the Florence Supermax in Colorado, Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial. “There is a divide in the Black community here,” said Chicago journalist Jason Palmer during an appearance on the Let It Be Known morning program. “Some view Hoover as someone who brought structure and leadership. Others remember the violence that came with his organization.” Palmer explained that while Hoover’s gang originally formed for protection, it grew into a criminal network responsible for extensive harm in Chicago. He also noted that Hoover continued to run his organization from state prison using coded messages passed through visitors, prompting his transfer to federal custody.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is widely considered a potential 2028 presidential contender, has not issued a statement. Palmer suggested that silence is strategic. “Releasing Hoover would create enormous political consequences,” Palmer said. “The governor’s in a difficult spot—he either resists pressure from supporters or risks national backlash if he acts.” According to Palmer, Hoover’s federal commutation does not make him a free man. “The federal sentence may be commuted, but he still has a 200-year state sentence,” he said. “And Illinois officials have already made it clear they don’t want to house him in state facilities again. They prefer he remains in federal custody, just somewhere outside of Colorado.”

Palmer also raised concerns about what Hoover’s case could signal for others. “When R. Kelly was convicted federally, state prosecutors in Illinois and Minnesota dropped their charges. If a president can commute federal sentences based on public pressure or celebrity support, others like R. Kelly or Sean Combs could be next,” Palmer said. “Meanwhile, there are thousands of incarcerated people without fame or access to public platforms who will never get that consideration.” “There are people who are not here today because of the violence connected to these organizations,” Palmer said. “That has to be part of this conversation.”

Stacy M. Brown

Posts by Stacy M. Brown

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WATCH: Five Years After George Floyd: Full Panel Discussion | Tracey’s Keepin’ It Real | Live Podcast Event

Join us as we return to the city where it happened and speak with a voice from the heart of the community – Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

Published

1 week ago

May 28, 2025

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https://youtube.com/watch?v=OsNLWTz6jU0&feature=oembed

May 25, 2020. The world stopped and watched as a life was taken.

But what has happened since?

Join us as we return to the city where it happened and speak with a voice from the heart of the community – Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

She shares reflections, insights, and the story of a community forever changed. What has a year truly meant, and where do we go from here?

This is more than just a date; it’s a moment in history. See what one leader in the Black press has to say about it.

Recorded live at UROC in Minneapolis, this powerful discussion features:

Panelists: