#NNPA BlackPress

Biden, Harris Invited to NNPA Convention as Black Press Celebrates 197 Years, Addresses Voter Turnout and Empowering Black Communities

NNPA NEWSWIRE — As the Black Press nears its bicentennial, the NNPA is celebrating its rich legacy and charting a course for its future impact on civic engagement and social justice. “Strengthening voter turnout, supporting families, and enhancing the financial stability of Black businesses are essential steps toward fostering a more inclusive and equitable society,” said NNPA Chair Bobby Henry. “This conference underscores the vital role of informing, educating, and mobilizing communities.”
The post Biden, Harris Invited to NNPA Convention as Black Press Celebrates 197 Years, Addresses Voter Turnout and Empowering Black Communities first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 years ago

May 28, 2024

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedida

The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) will host its annual national convention from June 19 to 22 at the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore. The NNPA is the trade association of the more than 250 African American-owned newspapers and media companies that comprise the Black Press of America.

This year’s event, themed “Empowering Black Press, Communities, Families, and Voter Turnout,” marks the Black Press’s 197th anniversary, just three years shy of its bicentennial.

The Black Press was founded in 1827, before slavery ended in America, with the publication of Freedom’s Journal in New York, published by John B. Russwurm and Samuel Cornish. The conglomerate has long championed the cause of African Americans and have been counted on for decades to rally the Black community around specific political candidates. “We wish to plead our own cause, for too long others have spoken for us,” declared Russwurm and Cornish in their inaugural issue.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have received formal invitations to attend the convention, and their participation is highly anticipated by the over 250 Black-owned newspaper and media company owners and their team of editors and journalists who are expected in Baltimore. With the 2024 election looming, Biden’s engagement with the Black Press is critical to his bid for re-election, underscoring the importance of the Black vote.

Reflecting on a pivotal moment from the 1992 NNPA convention in Baltimore, Bob Bogle of the Philadelphia Tribune and Sonny Messiah Jiles of the Houston Defender recalled the fallout when Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton backed out of his scheduled appearance. Black publishers were furious with Clinton’s decision. Bogle, at the time, called it “an affront to the Black Press, and it’s an affront to African Americans everywhere.”

Clinton later realized the gravity of his mistake and made amends by addressing the Black Press collectively. This historical context adds weight to the expectations placed on Biden, as Bogle and Jiles have expressed a similar resolve this year.

NNPA Chair Bobby Henry emphasized the significance of this year’s theme: “Our theme, ‘Empowering the Black Press, Communities, Families, and Voter Turnout,’ is of paramount importance. This conference is a critical platform for addressing the unique challenges and opportunities for political parties to share their messages with the media that serves the population and can make or break elections.”

The convention will feature several high-profile presentations and panels, including a keynote address by Damon Todd Hewitt, President & Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, titled “What is at Stake for African Americans: the 2024 Vote.” Rev. Mark Thompson of NNPA Global will moderate the “Generation Z Voter Issues” panel, featuring current and former HBCU students.

A panel discussion on “From NNPA Intern to Full-Time: How the Chevrolet Discover the Unexpected Program is Fueling the Workforce of the Future,” hosted by General Motors, and a Pfizer-sponsored breakfast on “Using AI Technology to Extend Audience Reach and Ensure Inclusive Voices” are two additional highlights. The Google News Initiative will present “News Consumer Insights” with Chrissey Towle, Google’s Director of News Partnerships.

Rahn Bailey, MD, of LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, Elliott T. Boyce, Sr., retired Director of the New York State Police, and Major Neil Franklin, former Executive Director of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership, will be on a panel Reynolds will host to discuss “The Importance of the 2024 Black Vote and Public Policy.” NNPA Partners and sponsors Reynolds, Pfizer Rare Disease, Google News Initiative, General Motors, American Petroleum Institute, Comcast NBC Universal, Nissan, and AARP.

The NNPA Fund’s annual Merit Awards and gala will occur on Thursday, June 20. On Friday, June 21, the NNPA’s annual black-tie gala will include a tribute to Frankie Beverly. Congressman Kweisi Mfume, U.S. Cabinet Secretary Michael Regan, and Maryland Governor Wesley Moore are scheduled to participate. NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. highlighted the critical nature of this year’s convention. “The NNPA welcomes the upcoming opportunity to convene our 2024 annual national convention in the great city of Baltimore,” Chavis declared.

“This marks the 197th anniversary of the Black Press of America. Baltimore is one of the historic cities where the Black Press continues to triumph in transformational ways. Because democracy and freedom are on the ballot this year, we will also issue a national call to action to get out the vote across America.”

As the Black Press nears its bicentennial, the NNPA is celebrating its rich legacy and charting a course for its future impact on civic engagement and social justice. “Strengthening voter turnout, supporting families, and enhancing the financial stability of Black businesses are essential steps toward fostering a more inclusive and equitable society,” Henry added. “This conference underscores the vital role of informing, educating, and mobilizing communities.”

The NNPA has continued to call for increased advertising support from businesses and governmental agencies to ensure fair and equitable spending with Black-owned media, emphasizing the ongoing economic and social contributions of the Black Press to American society.

The post Biden, Harris Invited to NNPA Convention as Black Press Celebrates 197 Years, Addresses Voter Turnout and Empowering Black Communities first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Stacy M. Brown

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#NNPA BlackPress

Poll Shows Support for Policies That Help Families Afford Child Care

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — New national polling shows persistent voter concern about the affordability and availability of child care for working parents, alongside broad support across key demographic groups for federal child care policies that help families afford care.

Published

3 days ago

March 2, 2026

Oakland Post

By First Five Years Fund

New national polling shows persistent voter concern about the affordability and availability of child care for working parents, alongside broad support across key demographic groups for federal child care policies that help families afford care.

The national survey was conducted by UpOne Insight on behalf of the First Five Years Fund from January 13–18, 2026.

Key findings include:

• Parents need help: 80% of voters say the ability of working parents to find and afford child care is either in a state of crisis or a major problem.

• This is an affordability issue: 82% believe federal child care funding will help lower costs for working families — including 69% of Republicans, 84% of Independents, and 94% of Democrats.

• And there continues to be strong support (62%) for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), a federal program that makes it possible for hundreds of thousands of families to afford safe, quality care for their children while parents work or go to school, including a majority of Republicans, 63% of Independents and 72% of Democrats.

• Support for funding child care programs remains strong: 75% believe child care funding should be increased or kept at current levels — including 75% of Republicans, 85% of Independents, and 97% of Democrats.

• 74% say funding for child care is an important and good use of tax dollars, including a majority of Republicans, three-quarters of Independents, and nine in ten Democrats.

FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling said, “Voters across the country are sending a clear message: federal child care and early learning programs work. These investments help parents stay in the workforce, strengthen families, and support healthy child development. They have also long had strong bipartisan support in Congress. At a time when affordability is top of mind for families, continued federal funding is essential to ensure child care remains accessible and within reach.”

First Five Years Fund works to protect, prioritize, and build bipartisan support for quality child care and early learning programs at the federal level. Reliable, affordable, and high-quality early learning and child care can be transformative, not only enhancing a child’s prospects for a brighter future but also bolstering working parents and fostering economic stability nationwide.

We work with Congress and the Administration to identify federal solutions that work for families with young children, as well as states and communities. We work with policymakers to identify ways to increase access to affordable, high-quality child care and early learning programs for children. And we collaborate with advocacy groups to help align best practices with the best possible policies. http://www.ffyf.org

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#NNPA BlackPress

Trump’s MAGA Allies are Creating Executive Order Plan to Steal the 2026 Midterms

NNPA NEWSWIRE — The document that could lead to an executive order proposes using the claim that China interfered with the 2020 elections as grounds to “declare a national emergency.” The move would be an unprecedented step that would grant Trump new authority over the voting systems in the U.S.

Published

6 days ago

February 27, 2026

Oakland Post

By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Correspondent

A group of MAGA pro-Trump activists, who say they are working in coordination with the White House, are circulating a 17-page draft executive order that would claim without evidence that China interfered with the 2020 presidential election. Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential to President Joe Biden by over 7 million votes. Since Trump lost to Biden in 2020, he has repeatedly claimed that the election was “stolen” without evidence. The report of a group of “Trump allies” preparing an executive order to give Trump power over elections was first reported by The Washington Post.

The lies around the right-wing campaign that pushed falsehoods that the 2020 election was stolen was trafficked through right-wing media, particularly Fox News. Fox News was then sued for defamation for the claims by Dominion Voting Systems. Fox lost the case and had to settle for the largest defamation amount on record of $787.5 million in April 2023.

The document that could lead to an executive order proposes using the claim that China interfered with the 2020 elections as grounds to “declare a national emergency.” The move would be an unprecedented step that would grant Trump new authority over the voting systems in the U.S.

The story in The Washington Post arrives as Trump increasingly signals that he may take actions that would alter the result of the 2026 midterms. The Republicans are widely expected to lose as their approval ratings plummet as a result of a failing economy under Trump. Over 50 members of Congress have announced they will retire this year and not return in 2027.

The Trump Department of Justice, which now has a large image of Trump on the side of it, “sued five new states Thursday [Feb. 26, 2026] demanding access to their unredacted voter rolls — escalating a campaign that has been rejected by multiple federal courts and faces resistance from Republican-led states as well,” according to Democracy Docket, a group that works to protect voting rights.

Trump claimed back in late 2020, the last year of his first term, that he had the authority to issue an executive order related to mail-in voting for the 2020 elections — which he would then lose. But the Constitution states that control of elections lies with the states. As the GOP works to place hurdles in front of voting, Democrats worked to make voting easier.

In March 2021, President Biden signed an executive order calling on federal agencies to expand voting access as part of the Biden Administration’s effort “to promote and defend the right to vote for all Americans who are legally entitled to participate in elections.”

Trump’s focus is clearly on altering the November 2026 midterm elections. Trump’s polling numbers and the elections and special elections that have taken place around the U.S. over the last year clearly indicate that Republicans are about to be hit by a blue wave of Democratic victories.

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent investigative journalist and the founder of Black Virginia News. She is a political analyst who appears on #RolandMartinUnfiltered and hosts the show LAUREN LIVE on YouTube @LaurenVictoriaBurke. She can be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke

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PRESS ROOM: NBA Hall of Fame Nominee Terry Cummings Joins 100 Black Men of DeKalb County to Launch Victory & Values Initiative

NNPA NEWSWIRE — NBA Hall of Fame nominee and Basketball Legend Terry Cummings was administered the official member’s oath and ceremonially pinned during a special induction ceremony held on Friday, February 20th.

Published

6 days ago

February 27, 2026

admin

Cummings becomes an honorary member, joining other role model sports stars

NBA Hall of Fame nominee and Basketball Legend Terry Cummings has officially become an honorary member of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County, marking a powerful new chapter for the 100 Black Men and youth development across the region.

Cummings was administered the official member’s oath and ceremonially pinned during a special induction ceremony held on Friday, February 20th. The moment signified more than membership — it marked the launch of the organization’s transformative new platform, the Victory & Values Initiative.

The Victory & Values Initiative is a groundbreaking youth development program designed to empower elementary and middle school students through a dynamic blend of sports, mentorship, and STEM exposure. The initiative focuses on building health, discipline, character, leadership, and access to opportunity — creating pathways for long-term academic and personal success.

“This is about more than sports,” said Cummings during the ceremony. “It’s about using the platform of athletics to teach life lessons, create access, and build the next generation of leaders.”

The induction ceremony also featured notable guests including NASCAR’s newest Star Driver, Lavar Scott and NASCAR Director of Athletic Performance, Phil Horton, who joined Cummings for a powerful Victory & Values Town Hall discussion. The Town Hall was moderated by renowned Sports Emcee John Hollins and focused on leadership, resilience, discipline, and the importance of mentorship in shaping young lives.

A “Day at NASCAR” for 75+ Youth

Cummings wasted no time getting to work. On his first full day as an honorary member, he joined his new brothers of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County to host a “Day at NASCAR,” escorting more than 75 youth to a once-in-a-lifetime experience at EchoPark Motor Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway).

The youth participants received behind-the-scenes access including: an exclusive tour of Pit Row, access to the Garage Area and exploration of the interactive Fan Zone.

The experience culminated with a surprise meet-and-greet and Q&A session with NASCAR Superstar Bubba Wallace, who shared insights on perseverance, preparation, and breaking barriers in professional sports.

The day served as a living example of the ‘Victory & Values’ Initiative in action — exposing youth to new industries, expanding their vision for the future, and connecting them directly with high- level mentors and role models.

Building Leaders Through Access and Mentorship

The 100 Black Men of DeKalb County – a chapter of the largest, national mentoring organization in the county – continues to expand its footprint with programs focused on academic excellence, economic empowerment, leadership development, and health & wellness.

The launch of ‘Victory & Values’ represents a strategic expansion of the organization’s impact

intentionally integrating athletics and STEM to engage youth at an early age while reinforcing core principles such as integrity, accountability, teamwork, and perseverance.

“Our mission has always been to mentor the next generation,” said Vaughn Irons, President-Elect of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County. “With Terry Cummings joining the brotherhood, along with partners in NASCAR and professional sports, we are creating unprecedented access and exposure for our youth. Victory & Values is about turning inspiration into structured opportunity.”

By connecting elementary and middle school students to professional athletes, executives, STEM professionals, and community leaders, the initiative aims to:

Increase youth exposure to careers in sports business, engineering, and performance science
Strengthen mentorship pipelines
Promote physical wellness and mental resilience
Build character-driven leadership at an early age

Open Invitation to Youth and Families

All youth are invited to participate in the Victory & Values Initiative, along with the other countless, impactful programs offered by the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County.

Parents and guardians seeking mentorship, leadership development, academic enrichment, and transformative exposure opportunities for their children are encouraged to connect with the organization.

As NBA Legend Terry Cummings’ induction demonstrates, Victory & Values is more than a program — it is a movement designed to build champions in life, not just in sports.

For more information about the Victory & Values Initiative or to enroll a student, contact: 100 Black Men of DeKalb County at Phone at 404.241.1338, info@100bmod.org or Tee Foxx at 404.791.6525,