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AUTO REVIEW: 2019 Nissan Maxima

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Nissan’s flagship was quite a figure with its 19-inch diamond cut wheels, large boomerang shaped LED headlights and an oversized V-motion grille. The Maxima had a new front fascia a revised rear fascia with LED taillights and integrated quad-tip exhaust finishers, the dual exhaust was made to look like a quad exhaust.

Published

6 years ago

June 3, 2019

Oakland Post

By Frank S. Washington, AboutThatCar.com, NNPA Newswire Contributor

DETROIT – The 2019 Nissan Maxima is not your average family sedan. Other than four-doors that may be where the similarity ends. It has the feel and the performance chops of a full-fledged sport sedan.

Where to begin? It lacks the conservative styling of most middle of the road large family sedans with styling designed to offend no one and appealing to even less. This car had an angular style that generated love it or loathe it responses and was unapologetic. The Maxima was no go along to get along sedan.

Nissan’s flagship was quite a figure with its 19-inch diamond cut wheels, large boomerang shaped LED headlights and an oversized V-motion grille. The Maxima had a new front fascia a revised rear fascia with LED taillights and integrated quad-tip exhaust finishers, the dual exhaust was made to look like a quad exhaust.

It had a low stance. The lines were meant to evoke the image of a jet fighter. The doors had deep scallops. Blacked out A-pillars enhanced the floating roof appearance. Combine that with blacked out B- and C-pillars and you get a wraparound canopy look. The test vehicle had a dual panoramic roof with the front panel being retractable and the rear panel fixed.

Under the hood was a 3.5-liter V6 that made 300 horsepower. It was mated to an Xtronic transmission. That is a continuously variable transmission with manual shift mode as well drive mode selector, it could be put in sport.

Nissan has invested more time and money into the development of CVTs than most automakers. It shows on the Maxima. Gone where the bugaboos like the drone and what seemed to be slow response time.

Clearly the downsides of CVTs were gone. That left the upside. The Maxima had an EPA rating of 20 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg combined. That is pretty good for a 300-horsepower sedan.

This powertrain provided some exhilarating driving. Acceleration was impressive, cornering was good, and the suspension soaked up imperfections in the road. The cabin was quiet, and the instruments were laid out in such way that it wasn’t necessary for the driver to reach for anything.

The Maxima had a driver focused interior. All of the instruments were pointed at the driver. Even the center stack was slanted in the driver’s direction.

The test vehicle was equipped with the Platinum Reserve Package. It featured tan semi-aniline leather appointments. The package interior also had Satin Bronze faceted interior finishers, tan steering wheel insert for a two-tone appearance and heated rear seats.

The leather was quilted; it was plush and really rivaled the inside of most luxury sedans. It was close by not in an uncomfortable way, it was snug. It really did feel like a cockpit.

The leather was soft, there was stitching throughout and the interior was modern but there were buttons where needed, like the audio controls. The back seats were heated. There was plenty of headroom and hip room. Three people could sit abreast but I don’t think full size adults would be comfortable.

This Nissan Maxima had push button start and stop as well as lock and unlock. Now that I think about it, the car was equipped with one of the best overhead cameras that I’ve run across. It had a power tilt and telescopic steering wheel.

Of course, there were voice controls, satellite radio, Bluetooth, lane departure warning, heated and cooled front seats, blind spot warning, automatic high beams, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian protection and forward collision warning. And there was remote start; you’d be surprised how many vehicles don’t have this feature.

As tested, the 2019 Maxima sticker was $45,225. That just didn’t seem like that much for all you got.

Frank S. Washington is editor of AboutThatCar.com

Oakland Post

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The List of Black and Missing Continues to Grow

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IT’S HER! — Harris County Medical Examiner Determines Human Remains Found in Arkansas Belong to Missing 4-Year-Old Maleah Davis

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#NNPA BlackPress

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

6 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

Posts by 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

7 days 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

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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: