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OP-ED: ‘Crypto Black’

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Too often, marginalized communities are consigned to the sidelines to witness the economic innovation and progress of others. Yet today, I believe that Black America should take a deeper and a more informed look at the emerging marketplace for cryptocurrency. I am not an expert on crypto, but I know that in the communities that I have worked for civil rights over the past 60 years deserve to have greater access to information and knowledge that is factual and honest about the specific benefits that may come from attaining crypto digital assets.

Published

1 year ago

October 29, 2024

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Opportunity Agenda for Black America

By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., President and CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association

We salute Vice President Kamala Harris for her leadership and innovative Economic Opportunity Agenda for America’s future economic development progress. In particular, for underserved communities of color this is good news. Especially for Black Americans striving to gain economic sustainability, all opportunities to achieve financial freedom and equity should be given priority attention and engagement.

The Harris Agenda emphasizes the need to provide people, “With the tools to achieve financial freedom, lower costs to better provide for themselves and their families and protect their rights.” I believe that increasing financial literacy on all the new and evolving financial assets including cryptocurrencies is also strategically important.

Too often, marginalized communities are consigned to the sidelines to witness the economic innovation and progress of others. Yet today, I believe that Black America should take a deeper and a more informed look at the emerging marketplace for cryptocurrency. I am not an expert on crypto, but I know that in the communities that I have worked for civil rights over the past 60 years deserve to have greater access to information and knowledge that is factual and honest about the specific benefits that may come from attaining crypto digital assets.

I coined the term “Crypto Black” as timely call to action to Black Americans — and actually to all Americans — to take seriously the need to do personal and collective research, study and appropriate responses to the opportunities to gain greater financial literacy about the tools and potential benefits of acquiring cryptocurrency.

There are multiple collaborative roles that the government, the private sector, and civil society must all do together to advance the opportunity agenda in the crypto space.

First, we need to foster better financial literacy education about digital assets inside the Black Community. Too many Black Americans have fallen prey to major scammers inside this space – and too few have been able to access the windfall of opportunities from innovation in cryptocurrency. How do we close this gap? Education. We need community workshops on cryptocurrency literacy, just like we have had in the past on financial literacy. Black Americans can – and should – be leaders in adopting this revolutionary technology, but we need to understand how it works, and how to access its benefits.

In his recent book, “Hijacking Bitcoin,” Roger Ver – one of the founding fathers of cryptocurrency – shares how he and others sought to spread this technology to unlock financial freedom for people around the world but have had to grapple with scammers and self-interested individuals who flooded into the space. Ver bears many scars from this decade-plus fight. He and others who are advancing cryptocurrencies for the right reasons should find ways and means to work with Black business leaders in the United States Black Chamber (USBC), the National Urban League and with many others.

Second, we need to ensure that the growing number Black crypto CEOs and entrepreneurs have a seat at the most important industry tables. While there are a few in the Black community that have been early adopters of cryptocurrency, we have not seen enough Black founders and CEOs at the head of the most important digital asset companies. There are many areas where a future President Harris could help promote Black leaders in this field. One idea for the next Administration is to host regular conversations on crypto and ensure that Black crypto entrepreneurs have a leadership role.

Third, digital assets if properly researched and attained can help to unlock innovative wealth advancement for millions of Black Americans. I am hopeful personally that our next President of the United States, Kamala Harris, will seize this moment with a bold vision and a series of forward-looking public policies. “Crypto Black” will be good for Black America.

Benjamin F, Chavis Jr. is the President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and a long-term civil rights leader who can be reached at dr.bchavis@nnpa.org.

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Michael: The King of Pop’s Story Returns to the Big Screen

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The curtain has finally lifted on one of Hollywood’s most anticipated films. Lionsgate has unveiled the official trailer and release date for “Michael,” the sweeping biopic about Michael Jackson that has been years in the making.

Published

1 day ago

November 6, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The curtain has finally lifted on one of Hollywood’s most anticipated films. Lionsgate has unveiled the official trailer and release date for “Michael,” the sweeping biopic about Michael Jackson that has been years in the making. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film will arrive in theaters on April 24, 2026, with the singer’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, stepping into the spotlight to portray his legendary uncle.

The trailer wastes no time rekindling the aura of Jackson’s genius. Opening with a studio scene between Jackson and his longtime producer Quincy Jones, played by Kendrick Sampson, the clip builds from a quiet, familiar rhythm to the electrifying pulse of “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’.” Viewers catch glimpses of the singer’s childhood, flashes of “Thriller,” and the silhouette that redefined pop culture. Each frame reminds fans of why Jackson remains unmatched in artistry and influence. The cast surrounding the late pop king’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, reads like a who’s who of Black entertainment and music history. Colman Domingo plays Joe Jackson, Nia Long portrays Katherine Jackson, and Larenz Tate takes on the role of Motown founder Berry Gordy. Laura Harrier portrays music executive Suzanne de Passe, while Kat Graham embodies Diana Ross. Miles Teller plays attorney John Branca, a towering entertainment lawyer and longtime Jackson confidant who later became co-executor of his estate. The film’s journey to release has been as complicated as the icon it portrays. Production wrapped in 2024, but legal hurdles over depictions of past controversies forced extensive reshoots and editing delays. Even so, Fuqua’s film now appears ready to reclaim the narrative, focusing on Jackson’s creative ambition and humanity beyond tabloid noise. IndieWire reported that the film had faced “a massive legal snafu” over a disputed storyline but was retooled to center the music and legacy that defined generations.

Maven. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson

“Michael” promises more than a chronological retelling. It aims to explore how a child star from Gary, Indiana, became the world’s most influential entertainer. The script, written by Oscar-nominated John Logan, traces Jackson’s early years with the Jackson 5 through the triumphs and isolation of global superstardom. With Fuqua’s cinematic eye and producer Graham King—who brought “Bohemian Rhapsody” to life—joining forces with estate executors Branca and John McClain, the film is positioned as both a tribute and a restoration of Jackson’s cultural truth. Branca’s work behind the scenes has long shaped Jackson’s posthumous success. After the singer died in 2009, Branca and McClain took control of the estate burdened by debt and turned it into a global powerhouse worth billions. Under their stewardship, Jackson’s projects have generated more than $3 billion in worldwide ticket sales and landmark deals, including a $600 million joint venture with Sony earlier this year. At its heart, though, “Michael” is a story about artistry that transcends scandal. It offers a reminder that, despite the noise surrounding his life, Jackson’s music still bridges continents and generations. The trailer’s closing moments capture that spirit. As the beat of “Billie Jean” swells and Jaafar Jackson moonwalks into a spotlight, audiences are left with a familiar feeling—the awe of witnessing something timeless return home.

“Michael” opens worldwide in theaters April 24, 2026. See the official trailer here.

Stacy M. Brown

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Donald Trump Is the Biggest Loser

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The Trump Brand took a significant hit as it was swept up in the Democratic blue wave of the election last night.

Published

2 days ago

November 5, 2025

Oakland Post

By April Ryan

The Trump Brand took a significant hit as it was swept up in the Democratic blue wave of the election last night.

Chris Jones, Democratic candidate for U.S. House of Representatives (AR-02), says, “Last night was electric, and it was unquestionably a wave.” Democrats won big in what is widely considered a repudiation of Trump’s 9 months at the White House in his second term.

In the state of Virginia, which produced the first big election night win and saw the election of the first woman governor, Democrat Abigail Spanberger, 56% of Virginia’s residents disapprove of President Trump. In New Jersey, 55% of state residents disapprove of the president; in New York, 69% disapprove; and in California, 63% disapprove of the president. The Trump brand or his support for any candidates did nothing to benefit those he endorsed in this election. They actually lost in each race he publicly put his name behind. Trump endorsed former New York Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo, who lost the New York mayor’s race in his run as an independent. And New Jersey Republican Jack Ciattarelli, who ran for governor with the presidential endorsement, also lost his prospective race.

The next question is, will the democratic momentum be sustainable? Jones further explained, “This can become a 2026 tsunami, but turning a wave into a tsunami takes energy. A lot of energy. It doesn’t just happen. The conditions are there. Now we have to work!”

Some Democrats would argue that the work is already underway. The pushback against Trump’s national redistricting efforts received a thumb in the eye from California voters. Prop 50, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s counterbalance to President Trump’s redistricting efforts, passed in California last night. Although Trump’s name was not on the ballot last night, his Republican policies were. The United States has now entered the longest government shutdown in its history. Forty-two million Americans are not getting SNAP benefits. Economists are acknowledging that the government shutdown is contributing to the rise in delinquent debt in the student loan, automotive, and credit card industries. These items are among the negatives Americans are protesting against.

Compounding Trump’s political problems is a tariff battle that’s directly impacting pocketbooks. The day after the elections, the Trump administration was arguing before the US Supreme Court in favor of the president’s tariff powers. Meanwhile, President Trump‘s poll numbers are underwater, standing at a 37% national disapproval rate

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Historic Beatdown: Democrats Sweep Virginia as Speaker Don Scott and Jay Jones Make History

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — In a clear rejection of the policies of President Donald Trump, history repeated itself in Virginia.

Published

2 days ago

November 5, 2025

Oakland Post

By Lauren Burke

In a clear rejection of the policies of President Donald Trump, history repeated itself in Virginia. Democrats once again swept all three statewide offices as they did in 2017 during Trump’s first term. Abigail Spanberger easily won the office of Governor, and State Senator Ghazala Hashmi won her race over John Reid to be the next Lieutenant Governor. The victories occurred against the backdrop of a historic win in Virginia by Spanberger that will give Virginia its first woman Governor.

Spanberger’s widely predicted win over Republican gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears was called 17 minutes after the polls closed in Virginia at 7 pm. Former Delegate Jay Jones won his race against incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares. His victory means Jones will be the first Black Attorney General in Virginia’s history. Jones’ win was particularly noteworthy since the last month of his campaign was consumed by the issue of private text messages from 2022 to Republican Delegate Carrie Coyner. Republicans ran a non-stop barrage of negative ads against Jones for a month.

Del. Coyner lost her bid for re-election to Delegate-elect Lindsey Dougherty. The Dougherty race was the number one target for House Speaker Don Scott and his campaign lieutenant, Delegate Dan Helmer. Coyner’s defeat was one of at least 13 victories for Democrats who have now added to their ranks in the Virginia House to historic margins. When the Virginia General Assembly returns to session in January, there will be at least 64 Democrats in the chamber. The widespread Republican defeat is a testament to a combination of historic fundraising, Democrats running in all 100 seats, dislike of President Trump’s policies, and an ineffective top of the ticket featuring Lt. Gov. Earle Sears.

+13: Speaker Scott and Del. Helmer Hit Historic Numbers in Fundraising and Power

As the evening ended, a glaring historic fact became clearer: The Virginia House of Delegates will expand to a historic number. The change means the largest Democratic House chamber in the modern era. There were several notable wins by Democrats running for the Virginia House. They include Virgil Thornton, Lilly Franklin, and Kim Pope Adams. Speaker Don Scott and his campaign chair, Dan Helmer, undertook a record fundraising effort never before seen in Virginia’s history. The moment of success for Virginia Democrats will be viewed as a positive signal for Democrats moving into the 2026 elections.