#NNPA BlackPress

PRESS ROOM: 100 Years of American Energy

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Partnering with the best and brightest technical experts from government, academia, and industry, The American Petroleum Institute (API) has developed almost 700 standards to enhance the safety of our workers and protect the community and environment.

Published

6 years ago

April 1, 2019

Oakland Post

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

Historically, the oil and gas industry hasn’t been known for diversity and inclusion efforts with its businesses regularly comprising a demographic that’s about 90 percent white and male.

However, the American Petroleum Institute (API), which counts as the largest U.S. trade association for the oil and natural gas industry, has worked to change the landscape by putting in place strategic and definitive initiatives that address diversity and inclusion.

2019 marks the 100th anniversary of API, which has established industry standards and disseminates best practices across the industry, nationwide and globally.

With alliances with NNPA, – the Black Press of America with more than 215 African American owned newspapers and media companies – and the National Association of Hispanic Publications, the American Association of Blacks in Energy and others, API hopes to encourage minorities and women to be petroleum engineers, geologists, welders, electricians, accountants, business managers and fill other necessary posts.

“The Black Press, probably more than any organization in the nation has a history of communications with the Black community, reaching policy leaders in the community as well as young folks,” said Frank Stewart, a consultant for API and president of Frank M. Stewart & Company.

“We believe we have a unique opportunity and the way to reach the community is by [aligning] with the people they trust,” Stewart said.

“The analogy is also [true] with the Hispanic Press,” said Dr. Carlos Rodriguez, an API consultant.

Additionally, API has an Energy Research Collaborative (ERC) with strategic partners focused on workforce development and engagement with nontraditional allies.

The ERC also includes Asian Americans in Energy, the Environment and Commerce, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Hispanics in Energy, National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, The Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers, United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and others.

The group meets regularly and continues to provide feedback and recommendations to API, which traces its beginning to World War I, when Congress and the domestic oil and natural gas industry worked together to help the war effort.

“The U.S. energy industry has always been at the forefront of powering positive change – from supporting the war effort during World War I, to the energy revolution that has made the U.S. the world’s leading producer, refiner, and exporter of natural gas, and No. 1 reducer of emissions,” said API President and CEO Mike Sommers during a recent celebration of the organization’s 100th anniversary.

API’s member companies still play a central role in America’s security, Sommers said.

API establishes industry standards and disseminates best practices across the industry, nationwide and globally.

Partnering with the best and brightest technical experts from government, academia, and industry, API has developed almost 700 standards to enhance the safety of our workers and protect the community and environment.

Certification programs developed by API’s Global Industry Services division help companies operationalize standards, providing consistency, interoperability, and reliability.

The United States leads the world in production of natural gas and oil, and in reduction of carbon dioxide emissions – supplying affordable, reliable energy while serving as the world’s gold standard for safe, environmentally responsible energy development.

The U.S. has reduced CO2 emissions to their lowest levels in a generation while the rest of the world’s emissions have dramatically risen. The energy landscape is evolving to meet consumer needs in cleaner, safer and more reliable ways.

Just 15 years increasing imports and peak oil were a focus, and some didn’t even mention clean U.S. natural gas as an electricity source, Sommers said.

Due to dramatic technological innovations, the US now leads the world in natural gas and oil production, fueling the world’s growth and adhering to the safest and most environmentally responsible standards in the world, he said.

Affordable energy gives U.S. manufacturers and major competitive advantage, and is a key factor revitalizing communities across the nation.

The U.S. energy industry is producing energy at record levels – meeting record demand and decreasing reliance on foreign suppliers.

The EIA forecasts that the United States will be a net exporter of crude oil and petroleum products by 2020 – boosting economic growth and enhancing energy security for the United States and allies.

Projections confirm a need for more natural gas and oil, not less, in the decades ahead, Sommers said.

U.S. success demonstrates the reality that people can reduce emissions and increase production of the energy that powers economies and supports modern daily living.

Growing energy demand means better, safer quality of life for billions living in poverty around the globe, API officials said. Nearly 1 billion people in the world don’t have access to electricity, and 2.1 billion live without safe drinking water at home.

“Energy is the key to improving health, security and opportunity for millions. And the United States is the world leader in meeting demand growth safely and cleanly,” Sommers said.

“With API’s leadership, we’ve set the world’s goal standard for safe, environmentally responsible operations and enhanced America’s energy security. As we honor a century of industry-driven progress, we also look ahead to a future made safer, brighter, and more prosperous for communities around the world by continued energy innovation,” he said.

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#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

1 week 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

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#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

1 week 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

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#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

1 week ago

May 28, 2025

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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: