#NNPA BlackPress
Congressional Black Caucus Chair Steven Horsford Honored with 2023 NNPA Leadership Award
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Recognizing the challenges faced by Black journalists and reporters, Horsford highlighted the importance of acknowledging their dedication and hard work in the field. “Ensuring that Black journalists and reporters are recognized for the representation they bring to their newsrooms,” he continued. “Understand this isn’t an easy profession, and it’s important for us to be able to lift up the people who worked hard to get to the level and took positions they are in within the press corp.”
The post Congressional Black Caucus Chair Steven Horsford Honored with 2023 NNPA Leadership Award first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia
Congressional Black Caucus Chair Steven Horsford (D-Nevada) said his commitment to marginalized communities, Black America, and his Democratic colleagues have always been unwavering. The 2023 National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Leadership Award recipient’s leadership and tireless efforts in a divided and near-broken Congress have served as a beacon of hope for countless individuals, particularly people of color.
On Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, Horsford will step front and center at the Marriott Marquis in the heart of the nation’s capital, with other recipients of the Leadership Award as the NNPA, the trade association of the Black Press of America, honor his contributions to the pursuit of social justice and equity which have garnered recognition and ignited meaningful change across the nation.
Prior to the ceremony and the kickoff of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference, Horsford held a private gathering to discuss the week ahead. At the event, he told the Black Press that the 2023 Leadership Award counts as a significant acknowledgment he wouldn’t take for granted. The Nevada leader emphasized the critical role of a free press in safeguarding democracy, especially amid escalating tensions on Capitol Hill.
“Especially at a moment when democracy is under attack, one of the cornerstones of our democracy is a free press, and the role of the Black Press is ensuring that the general public, but particularly Black America, has access to accurate non-subjective information at a time when people are getting bombarded with misinformation and disinformation, particularly the Black community,” Horsford remarked.
He also took the opportunity to extend the honor to the entire Congressional Black Caucus. “This award speaks to the work of the CBC,” Horsford insisted. “I’m honored as chair to be able to receive the award, but I receive it on behalf of the 58 members and the 80 million Americans, 18 million Black Americans we represent who deserve to have a free press that works for them, and that’s at stake right now with our democracy being under attack.”
Horsford repeatedly emphasized the vital role played by the Black Press in bringing critical issues to the forefront of public discourse, often preceding mainstream media coverage. “The Black press has over time brought issues to the fore before the mainstream press brought them,” he stated. “They bring perspectives from their own lived experiences, lifting up the voices of Black communities and also other marginalized communities that don’t always get their stories told.”
Recognizing the challenges faced by Black journalists and reporters, Horsford highlighted the importance of acknowledging their dedication and hard work in the field. “Ensuring that Black journalists and reporters are recognized for the representation they bring to their newsrooms,” he continued. “Understand this isn’t an easy profession, and it’s important for us to be able to lift up the people who worked hard to get to the level and took positions they are in within the press corp.”
NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., said the award is a testament to Horsford’s steadfast commitment to championing civil rights and justice for all.
“His relentless pursuit of a fairer and more just society has earned him this well-deserved recognition, and his influence promises to continue shaping a brighter future for marginalized communities across the United States,” Chavis affirmed.
In addition to Horsford, the NNPA also bestowed the 2023 NNPA Leadership Award to Jasmine Crocket (D-Texas), Niesha Foster of Pfizer Inc., Jessie Wolley-Wilson, President and CEO of Dreambox Learning, and The People’s Attorney Ben Crump.
The post Congressional Black Caucus Chair Steven Horsford Honored with 2023 NNPA Leadership Award first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
#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.

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.”
#NNPA BlackPress
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.

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.”
#NNPA BlackPress
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.

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:
- Medaria Arradondo – Former Minneapolis Police Chief
- Nekima Levy Armstrong – Civil Rights Activist & Attorney
- Dr. Yohuru Williams – Racial Justice Initiative,
- UST Mary Moriarty – Hennepin County Attorney
- Fireside Chat with Andre Locke – Father of Amir Locke
Special Guests:
- Kennedy Pounds – Spoken Word Artist
- Known MPLS – Youth Choir bringing purpose through song
This podcast episode looks at the past five years through the lens of grief, truth, and hope—and challenges us all to do more.
Subscribe to Tracey’s Keepin’ It Real wherever you get your podcasts or follow @mnspokesmanrecorder for more.
Visit https://spokesman-recorder.com for more coverage and stories from Minnesota’s trusted Black news source.
#GeorgeFloyd #BlackPress #SpokesmanRecorder #Minneapolis #BlackHistory
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