#NNPA BlackPress

Defend, Protect, and Fight for Our Democracy

ABOVE: President Joe Biden addresses the audience at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Phoenix Awards (Photo Credit: Kea Taylor/Imagine Photography) Every year, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation hosts their Annual Legislative Conference (ALC), considered to be the nation’s leading policy conference. This year, the ALC returned to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, […]
The post Defend, Protect, and Fight for Our Democracy first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 years ago

September 30, 2023

Forward Times Staff

ABOVE: President Joe Biden addresses the audience at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Phoenix Awards (Photo Credit: Kea Taylor/Imagine Photography)

Every year, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation hosts their Annual Legislative Conference (ALC), considered to be the nation’s leading policy conference.

This year, the ALC returned to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. from September 20^th to September 24^th, and featured five days of premium programming, and several signature events, including the Day of Healing (formerly the Prayer Breakfast), the National Town Hall, and the sold-out Phoenix Awards black-tie dinner.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris both were featured speakers at the annual Phoenix Awards dinner and they honored the work of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and the CBCF when it comes to upholding democratic norms and institutions and charting a pathway for progress for Black Americans, while warning attendees that the work they do is more important now than ever before leading up to this pivotal election year.

At this year’s Phoenix Awards dinner, Vice President Kamala Harris was welcomed to a standing ovation as she took to the stage to deliver a powerful message to attendees, warning everyone that there is much at stake ahead of the 2024 Presidential elections.

“As a proud former CBC member, I thank you for your partnership and your leadership,” said Vice President Harris. “The CBC has always been the conscience of our country, a truth teller—truths about where we have been and where we must go. Let us continue to speak truth. Across America, there is a full-on attack on many of the hard-fought, hard-won freedoms that the CBC has achieved.”

Vice President Harris laid the foundation and turned the podium over to President Biden, who followed her with a stirring speech addressing many of the concerns she raised in her speech.

“I chose to run because silence is complicit, and I would not be silent,” said President Biden. Democracy was at stake in 2020, and thank God, because of you, we won. I wish I can say the threat to our democracy ended with our victory in 2020, but it didn’t. Our democracy is still at stake, don’t kid yourself.”

President Biden also challenged Americans to reject racism and those who are determined to spread hate and division in this country.

“Hear this. Hear it clearly,” President Biden said before making a powerful declaration. “I want the entire nation to join me in sending the strongest, clearest, most powerful message possible that political violence in America is never, never, never acceptable in our democracy.”

President Biden stated that those who seek power at all costs are a threat to our democracy and must be stopped.

“I will always defend, protect, and fight for our democracy,” said President Biden.

President Biden also touted his accomplishments and highlighted all the promises made and kept to Black Americans since being elected to office in 2020.

President Biden and Vice President Harris delivered their remarks halfway through the part of the program where the winners of the signature Phoenix Awards were being announced. The Phoenix Awards are given annually to six people who are recognized for serving as leaders and trailblazers for the Black community.

The 2023 Phoenix Awards honorees were MC Lyte, LL Cool J, Karine Jean-Pierre, Mayor Karen Bass, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Tennessee State Rep. Justin Jones.

MC Lyte and LL Cool J were both given the 2023 CBCF Culture Icon Award.

“Thank you to the entire CBC for your dedication to change,” said MC Lyte, who received her award first. “Because you do what you do, and you take care of the heavy lifting in our communities, we in hip-hop get to do what we do and that’s to entertain.”

“In hip-hop culture, we’re not always politically correct but we are always artistically correct, and so this love of this culture and this love of this art wouldn’t be anything without all of your support,” said LL Cool J, upon receiving his award. “I want to commend you on everything that you’re doing to make dreams come true around the country for Black men and Black women like myself, and I’d just encourage you to go after your dreams.”

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was given the CBCF Annual Legislative Conference Honorary Co-Chairs’ Award.

“I would not be here today if it were not for the generation of barrier-breaking people before me. This is really a truly humbling experience, and I stand on their shoulders,” said Jean-Pierre. “I have learned from their excellence and benefited from their sacrifices, and I am forever grateful to them.”

Mayor of Los Angeles Karen Bass received the CBCF Chair’s Award.

“It wasn’t an easy decision to leave Congress, but I had to because Black folk in Los Angeles are 8% of our city and 30% of the people on our streets. In Los Angeles, that’s 46,000 people who sleep on the streets every night, and every night five of them don’t wake up,” said Mayor Bass. “But CBC will always be in my heart, and even though I might not be a member of Congress I still consider myself part of the CBC family.”

House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-8) was honored with the CBC Body Award.

“Thank you for this incredible honor. Since 1971, the CBC has fought for racial justice, social justice, economic justice and to bring the American dream to life in every single zip code,” said Rep. Jeffries. “We will continue to speak up, we will continue to show up, we will continue to stand up until we reach the promised land of liberty and justice for all.”

Tennessee State Rep. Justin Jones (D-TN-52) received the CBC Chair’s Award.

“I’m so honored to be standing in this tradition of good trouble, this legacy of liberation, and this reminder that we are a people of progress. On April 6, I was the youngest Black lawmaker, and my colleague and I were expelled fighting for a nation to protect kids and not guns,” said Rep. Jones. “I’m so humbled to receive this award; not for myself but for the movement of which we are a part.”

Speaking at the event, CBC Chair Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV) noted that this year’s caucus is the largest ever, with 58 members, representing 82 million Americans and making up almost one-quarter of the House Democratic Caucus.

The post Defend, Protect, and Fight for Our Democracy appeared first on Forward Times.

The post Defend, Protect, and Fight for Our Democracy first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Forward Times Staff

Posts by Forward Times Staff

Up Next

NAREB Applauds and Supports FHFA Efforts to Expand Homeownership for People of Color

Don't Miss

Caroline Wanga, Detavio Samuels, Jason Lee Tackle Lack Of Advertising Funding For Black-Owned Media

Forward Times Staff

Click to comment

#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

2 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

#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.

Published

3 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

Posts by Stacy M. Brown

#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.

Published

3 days ago

May 28, 2025

admin

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: