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Congresswoman Maxine Waters Pens Open Letter to CFPB Employees

NNPA NEWSWIRE — “Let me assure you that actions to weaken the Consumer Bureau from within as Director Mulvaney attempted to do will not go unchecked or unnoticed. As Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, I will fight against any and all efforts to weaken the Consumer Bureau and make sure that your important work to protect consumers, as Congress intended, can continue.”

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WASHINGTON — Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, sent a letter to the dedicated public servants of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Consumer Bureau), to address the challenges they have faced in the last two years and assure them that she will use the full range of the Committee’s oversight authorities to prevent any efforts to weaken the Consumer Bureau.

“Let me assure you that actions to weaken the Consumer Bureau from within as Director Mulvaney attempted to do will not go unchecked or unnoticed,” wrote Chairwoman Waters. “As Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, I will fight against any and all efforts to weaken the Consumer Bureau and make sure that your important work to protect consumers, as Congress intended, can continue. As part of my duties as Chairwoman, I will also be conducting careful oversight of the agencies under the Committee’s jurisdiction, including the Consumer Bureau. If, in the course of your work, you are a witness to waste, fraud, abuse or gross mismanagement, please do not hesitate to alert me and my staff.”

In the letter, the Chairwoman also commended the Consumer Bureau’s employees on their hard work to protect consumers from unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts and practices of bad actors.

“Your work is a vital public service,” said Chairwoman Waters. “Take heart in the knowledge that millions of Americans have benefitted from your efforts, and that the Consumer Bureau has many friends and allies in Congress who believe in your efforts and will stand up for you and the Consumer Bureau.”

Whistleblowers may alert the Financial Services Committee to unlawful activity, mismanagement, waste of funds, or abuse of authority in federal agencies or other organizations via a whistleblower form at financialservices.house.gov/whistleblower.

See the full text of the letter below.

 To the Dedicated Public Servants of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau:

I am aware of the challenges you have faced in the last two years. And I understand the pride you   have in your work of protecting America’s consumers. When that work is challenged or undermined, morale can suffer. The reports[1]regarding a significant drop over the past year in the state of morale     at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Consumer Bureau) are troubling to me as a   policymaker because the Consumer Bureau should be a place where you are not only proud of your work, but you are also confident of the value you provide in protecting the consumers of our country from unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices of bad actors. I am writing to reassure you of the importance and value of your work, and to let you know, in no uncertain terms, that the anti- consumer actions mandated by Trump appointees will not be tolerated. I will work hard to ensure that you will once again be fully empowered to perform your duties on behalf of America’s   consumers.

The Consumer Bureau is a key part of financial reform. After the financial crisis and the subprime meltdown a decade ago, Congress recognized that Americans needed a new watchdog that could swiftly and effectively crack down on unscrupulous financial practices and products, and created the Consumer Bureau as a key part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

Since the creation of the Consumer Bureau, you have helped people around the country with their mortgages, credit cards, student loans, and other financial products and services; punished financial institutions that have harmed consumers; put money back in the pockets of consumers; and implemented consumer protections to help individuals and families take control of their economic lives.

Your work is a vital public service. Take heart in the knowledge that millions of Americans have benefitted from your efforts, and that the Consumer Bureau has many friends and allies in Congress who believe in your efforts and will stand up for you and the Consumer Bureau.

I have been concerned that actions taken, and changes made by Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney were contrary to both the spirit and plain letter of the law and appear to be designed to frustrate the Consumer Bureau’s mission.

Let me assure you that actions to weaken the Consumer Bureau from within as Director Mulvaney attempted to do will not go unchecked or unnoticed.  As Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, I will fight against any and all efforts to weaken the Consumer Bureau and make sure that your important work to protect consumers, as Congress intended, can continue.

As part of my duties as Chairwoman, I will also be conducting careful oversight of the agencies under the Committee’s jurisdiction, including the Consumer Bureau. If, in the course of your work, you are a witness to waste, fraud, abuse or gross mismanagement, please do not hesitate to alert me and my staff.

The Whistleblower Protection Act (“WPA”) provides broad protections to federal employees disclosing to Congress a violation of law, rule, or regulation; gross mismanagement; fraud; or an abuse of authority.[2] The Committee expects that the Consumer Bureau will comply with the WPA and any other applicable whistleblower laws in response to any Consumer Bureau employee that elects to exercise their right to report instances of waste, fraud, abuse or mismanagement to Congress. In addition to the whistleblower protections granted in the WPA, Congress has passed criminal prohibitions against threatening or tampering with witnesses testifying before congressional proceedings.[3]The Committee will not tolerate any intimidation of or retaliation against potential witnesses by anyone at any federal agency.

Again, the Consumer Bureau is of critical importance for American families across the country. Your work is of critical importance. I am committed to working every day to make sure that the Consumer Bureau and you, its hardworking staff, can work toward its mission of protecting consumers.

Sincerely,

MAXINE WATERS
Chairwoman

cc: The Honorable Patrick McHenry

[1] Partnership for Public Service, “Best Places to Work in the Federal Government,” (Dec. 12, 2018), https://bestplacestowork.org/rankings/detail/FRFT and https://bestplacestowork.org/analysis/agency-profiles/#cfpb; see also Joe Davidson, “Report shows sharp drop in federal employee morale under Trump,” WASHINGTON POST (Dec. 12, 2018),https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/12/12/report-shows-sharp-drop-federal-employee-morale-under-trump/.

Furthermore, another employee survey showed widespread lack of respect in the Consumer Bureau’s senior leadership last year. See Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, “2018 BCFP annual employee survey results,” (Dec. 28, 2018), https://www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/research-reports/2018-bcfp-annual-employee-survey-results/; see also Katy O’Donnell, “Nearly half of CFPB employees say they don’t respect leadership,” POLITICO PRO (Jan. 3, 2019), https://subscriber.politicopro.com/education/article/2019/01/nearly-half-of-cfpb-employees-say-they-dont-respect-leadership- 2429422.

[2]  With respect to disclosures to entities other than the CFPB’s Inspector General or the Special Counsel, the WPA protects employees provided that the disclosed information is not otherwise prohibited by law nor required to be kept secret by executive order in the interest of national defense or foreign affairs. In recognition of Congress’s constitutional oversight responsibilities, however, the WPA affords special protections to federal employees who disclose even “confidential” information to Congress. 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b) (providing that the WPA is not to be interpreted to “authorize the withholding of information from the Congress or the taking of any personnel action against an employee who discloses information to the Congress”); see also H. Rept. 95-1717 (Conference Report) (1978) (“The provision is intended to make clear that by placing limitations on the kinds of information any employee may publicly disclose without suffering reprisal, there is no intent to limit the information an employee may provide to Congress or to authorize reprisal against an employee for providing information to Congress.”).

[3]  18 U.S.C. §1505 (“Whoever corruptly, or by threats of force, or by any threatening letter or communication influences, obstruct, or impedes or endeavors to influence, obstruct, or impede the due and proper administration of the law…or the due and proper exercise of the power of inquiry under which any inquiry or investigation is being had by either House, or any committee of either House or any joint committee of the Congress – Shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years…or both.”).

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LIVE NNPA 2025 National Legacy Awards Gala | Savannah

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https://youtube.com/watch?v=14B2itRmFgs&feature=oembed

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Op-Ed: Why Black Fathers Like Me Must Speak Up About Autism

Being “Dad” to my daughter Amari, who was diagnosed with autism, changed everything. In the Black community, silence around disability comes at a cost. I’ve learned that fatherhood is leadership—and it’s time we speak up. Our kids need early support, inclusive policies, and visible, vocal fathers. Autism isn’t the tragedy—silence is.

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BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE – As a Black father, I’ve worn many titles—provider, protector, community leader, mentor. But none has shaped me more than being “Dad” to my daughter Amari, who was diagnosed with autism.

When I first heard the word autism associated with my child, I’ll admit—I was overwhelmed. Like many parents, I didn’t fully understand what it meant. I was afraid of what the future might hold. But in the Black community, fear is often met with silence. And silence—especially around disability and mental health—has become a quiet barrier too many families struggle behind.

That’s why I’m speaking out—not just as a father, but as an advocate for our children, for public service education, and for civic engagement rooted in love and leadership.

Black children are too often diagnosed, later, misdiagnosed, or outright denied access to the early interventions they need. The reasons are layered—racial disparities in healthcare, cultural stigma, under-resourced schools, and unconscious bias in medical and educational systems. The results are heartbreaking. Our children fall through cracks that should never exist.

Even fewer people talk about the role of fathers—especially Black fathers—in this journey. Too often, we’re pushed to the margins of the conversation or expected to stay silent. That ends here.

I’ve sat in countless IEP meetings. I’ve researched therapies, pushed for inclusive classrooms, and sought out the support systems that weren’t readily available. I’ve wiped away tears and celebrated every breakthrough. And in each step, I’ve realized that parenthood is more than presence—it’s informed, engaged leadership. It’s showing up as our child’s strongest advocate.

Through my advocacy, I’ve worked with other families here in Prince George’s County to build community, share knowledge, and empower fathers. But we need more. We need a cultural shift—one that recognizes neurodiversity, reduces stigma, and promotes civic participation among parents and caregivers. We need to normalize vulnerability in Black men and redefine strength as being fully present for our children.

And we need policy.

  • Paid family leave.
  • Inclusive classrooms.
  • Early intervention access.
  • Increased funding for special education—especially in underserved communities where disparities are most pronouncedl.

These aren’t just family issues. They are issues of public leadership. They are the foundations of building future leaders through involvement, advocacy, and education.

Our children deserve more than awareness—they deserve action. And our fathers deserve to be seen, heard, and supported—not shamed or silenced.

Autism is not a tragedy. Silence is.

Let’s talk. Let’s act. Let’s lead.

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The Sacramento Observer and Savannah Tribune Win Big at 2025 NNPA Messenger Awards

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The Sacramento Observer earned the night’s most prestigious recognition, the John B. Russwurm Award, presented to the newspaper with the highest cumulative score across all award categories. The Observer achieved an impressive 154 points and took home first-place honors in Education Reporting, Business Reporting, Original Photography, Youth and Children Coverage, and Facebook Campaigns.

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By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

SAVANNAH, Ga.—The Sacramento Observer and The Savannah Tribune stood out as the top honorees at the 2025 National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Fund’s Messenger Awards, held during the Black Press of America’s annual convention at the JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District Hotel.

The convention, themed “The Black Press: Engaging Black America—Empowerment, Justice and Prosperity,” marked the 198th year of the Black Press of America, which today comprises more than 200 African American-owned newspapers and media companies committed to covering the stories and issues that shape Black communities nationwide.

The Sacramento Observer earned the night’s most prestigious recognition, the John B. Russwurm Award, presented to the newspaper with the highest cumulative score across all award categories. The Observer achieved an impressive 154 points and took home first-place honors in Education Reporting, Business Reporting, Original Photography, Youth and Children Coverage, and Facebook Campaigns. The publication also placed among the top three in several additional categories, including Environment, Social Criminal Justice, and Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle, underscoring its consistent strength in both editorial content and audience engagement.

While the Observer dominated the content awards, The Savannah Tribune was honored for its leadership and community impact. Publisher Shirley Ann Barber James received the Publisher of the Year Award, recognizing her decades of dedication to preserving and strengthening the Tribune’s voice. Accepting the award, James thanked her family, staff, and Savannah’s civic organizations for supporting the paper’s mission and expanding its reach.

Other publications also earned multiple honors. The Houston Defender captured first-place awards in Health Reporting, Environment Reporting, and Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle. The St. Louis American earned first place in the categories of Special Editions, Original Advertising Campaigns, Broadsheet Layout and Design, and Video Campaigns. The Afro-American Newspaper of Baltimore and the Chicago Defender also collected several top finishes.

All winners by category included:

Health Reporting – Emory O. Jackson Award

1st Place: Houston Defender

2nd Place: Birmingham Times

3rd Place: Afro-American Newspaper, Baltimore

Education Reporting – Frank L. Stanley Award

1st Place: The Sacramento Observer

2nd Place: Washington Informer

3rd Place: Savannah Tribune

Social Criminal Justice – Ida B. Wells Award

1st Place: Chicago Defender

2nd Place: Dallas Weekly

3rd Place: The Sacramento Observer

Environment – Wilbert L. Holloway Award

1st Place: Houston Defender

2nd Place: The Sacramento Observer

3rd Place: New York Amsterdam News

Faith & Religion

1st Place: L.A. Sentinel

2nd Place: Baltimore Times

3rd Place: Final Call

Business Reporting

1st Place: The Sacramento Observer

2nd Place: Chicago Defender

3rd Place: Houston Defender

Editorial Opinion – Robert S. Abbott Award

1st Place: Forward Times

2nd Place: Washington Informer

3rd Place: Texas Metro News

Original Photography

1st Place: The Sacramento Observer

2nd Place: Houston Defender

3rd Place: New York Amsterdam News

Entertainment Coverage – Armstrong Ellington Award

1st Place: Afro-American Newspaper, Baltimore

2nd Place: Washington Informer

3rd Place: Atlanta Voice

Sports – Don King Award

1st Place: Afro-American Newspaper, Baltimore

2nd Place: St. Louis American

3rd Place: Atlanta Voice

Youth and Children Coverage

1st Place: The Sacramento Observer

2nd Place: Philadelphia Tribune

3rd Place: Savannah Tribune

Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle – Ada S. Franklin Award

1st Place: Houston Defender

2nd Place: The Sacramento Observer

3rd Place: Atlanta Voice

Special Editions – Leon H. Washington Award

1st Place: St. Louis American

2nd Place: Philadelphia Tribune

3rd Place: Washington Informer

Original Advertising Campaign – E. Washington Rhodes Award

1st Place: St. Louis American

2nd Place: New Pittsburgh Courier

3rd Place: Seattle Medium

Layout & Design (Tabloid) – Robert L. Vann Award

1st Place: Washington Informer

2nd Place: Texas Metro News

3rd Place: New York Amsterdam News

Layout & Design (Broadsheet) – Robert L. Vann Award

1st Place: St. Louis American

2nd Place: Philadelphia Tribune

3rd Place: Michigan Chronicle

Website Excellence – A. Philip Randolph Award

1st Place: New Pittsburgh Courier

2nd Place: Michigan Chronicle

3rd Place: St. Louis American

Facebook Campaign

1st Place: The Sacramento Observer

2nd Place: Forward Times

3rd Place: Michigan Chronicle

Instagram Campaign

1st Place: Texas Metro News

2nd Place: Chicago Defender

3rd Place: Michigan Chronicle

Video Campaign

1st Place: St. Louis American

2nd Place: Houston Defender

3rd Place: L.A. Sentinel

Community Service – Karl Murphy Award

1st Place: Baltimore Times

2nd Place: L.A. Sentinel

3rd Place: Texas Metro News

Community Engagement – W.A. Scott II Award

1st Place: Dallas Weekly

2nd Place: Houston Defender

3rd Place: Philadelphia Tribune

Newspaper Excellence – John H. Sengstacke Award

1st Place: Philadelphia Tribune

2nd Place: Afro-American Newspaper, Baltimore

3rd Place: Atlanta Voice

Newsletter Excellence

1st Place: New Pittsburgh Courier

2nd Place: Savannah Tribune

3rd Place: Michigan Chronicle

“This is an opportunity to showcase the amazing publications, publishers, and journalists, and their staff who keep the Black press alive,” NNPA Fund Chair and Houston Forward Times Publisher Karen Carter Richards stated.

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