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Trump Administration Targets Black Pilots, Weaponizing Lies About Diversity

NNPA NEWSWIRE — In a stunning display of bigotry disguised as governance, Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum ordering the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to eliminate hiring policies designed to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Published

1 year ago

January 27, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

Donald Trump and his hate-filled administration have launched another racist attack, this time aiming at Black pilots and diversity efforts in the aviation industry. In a stunning display of bigotry disguised as governance, Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum ordering the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to eliminate hiring policies designed to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The memo outrageously claims that DEI programs jeopardize safety and efficiency—despite zero evidence to back such a claim.

Trump’s memorandum, dripping with thinly veiled racism, demands the FAA “return to merit-based hiring” and review the past performance of all employees in critical safety positions. The administration accuses the Biden-era DEI policies of “violating the public trust” by allegedly prioritizing individuals with disabilities and other marginalized groups overqualified candidates. Industry experts have blasted the memo as baseless and incendiary, calling it an attack on years of progress in promoting fairness and representation in aviation. “This is nothing more than weaponized hate,” said Tennessee Garvey, a pilot with 22 years of experience. “There’s never been any proof that diversity jeopardizes safety. This is about stoking fear and division, not protecting passengers.”

False Narratives, Real Damage

The Trump administration’s baseless claims are not only insulting but dangerous. Pilots, air traffic controllers, and aviation experts have universally condemned the idea that DEI initiatives threaten safety. The aviation industry operates under some of the strictest standards in the world, with all personnel required to meet rigorous qualifications regardless of their background. “Why don’t we go back in history and research every airplane crash and tell me how many times a Black pilot was the cause?” asked Eric Hendrick, Delta Airlines’ director of pilot outreach and a former pilot. “Everyone has to meet the same high standards. To weaponize DEI like this is just ridiculous.” Hendrick’s frustration is echoed by Garvey, who heads the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP), a group that has championed the inclusion and advancement of Black professionals in aviation for over 50 years. “DEI doesn’t lower standards—it raises opportunities,” Garvey said. “Representation is critical to fostering a stronger, more innovative industry.”

A Manufactured Crisis

Despite the Trump administration’s rhetoric, the numbers tell a different story. Black pilots represent just 4% of all pilots in the United States, while Latinos account for only 10% of FAA employees. These figures highlight a systemic lack of representation, not overreach. Programs like DEI aim to address these gaps, ensuring that talent from all communities has a chance to thrive in an industry that shapes millions of lives daily. Oscar Torres, president of the National Hispanic Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees, said efforts to dismantle DEI programs could have long-term consequences for recruitment and retention. “Latinos are the largest minority in the country, but our numbers in the FAA don’t reflect that,” Torres said. “DEI isn’t about favoring one group over another—it’s about making sure opportunities are available to everyone.” The FAA has struggled with staffing shortages for years, particularly among air traffic controllers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that 18,000 pilot jobs will open annually through 2033, yet the administration’s order could exacerbate existing recruitment challenges by discouraging underrepresented groups from pursuing aviation careers.

Industry Outrage

Trump’s executive order has drawn sharp criticism from major figures within the aviation industry, who argue that dismantling DEI programs undermines safety and progress. Garvey said the directive threatens to reverse decades of mentorship, training, and career development for Black pilots and other underrepresented workers. “This is about dismantling opportunities and erasing the progress we’ve made,” Garvey said. “Diversity makes us stronger. It’s morally right, and it’s essential for the long-term success of aviation.” Hendrick pointed out that diversity programs have been a cornerstone of major airlines for decades, independent of federal mandates. “Trump’s order is symbolic of what they want to do politically, but it doesn’t reflect the aviation industry,” he said. “Airlines will continue to promote fairness in hiring and advancement, regardless of political pressure.”

The Fight for Representation

For advocates like Garvey and Torres, Trump’s memo only reinforces the need to double down on efforts to ensure equal opportunities in aviation. Organizations like OBAP and the National Hispanic Coalition of Federal Aviation Employees are more determined than ever to support aspiring pilots, air traffic controllers, and aerospace professionals from underrepresented communities. “We’re not going anywhere,” Garvey said. “We’re going to keep mentoring, training, and advocating because diversity isn’t just important—it’s necessary. Representation matters, and we’re going to fight to ensure this industry reflects the world it serves.” Garvey stressed that diversity initiatives are not about lowering standards but about breaking down barriers. “There’s nothing wrong with creating opportunities. There’s nothing wrong with making people feel valued. And there’s nothing wrong with diversity,” he said. “This executive order might be an obstacle, but it won’t stop us.”

A Dangerous Precedent

Aviation professionals warn of the broader implications for other industries as the Trump administration continues to weaponize lies about diversity. “If this is what they’re willing to do in aviation, where safety is paramount, what’s next?” Garvey asked. “This isn’t just about pilots—it’s about who gets to participate in America’s economy and future.” For now, organizations like OBAP remain steadfast in their mission. “We’ve been here for over 50 years, and we’re not stopping now,” Garvey said. “This fight is far from over.”

Stacy M. Brown

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#NNPA BlackPress

Poll Shows Support for Policies That Help Families Afford Child Care

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — New national polling shows persistent voter concern about the affordability and availability of child care for working parents, alongside broad support across key demographic groups for federal child care policies that help families afford care.

Published

19 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Oakland Post

By First Five Years Fund

New national polling shows persistent voter concern about the affordability and availability of child care for working parents, alongside broad support across key demographic groups for federal child care policies that help families afford care.

The national survey was conducted by UpOne Insight on behalf of the First Five Years Fund from January 13–18, 2026.

Key findings include:

• Parents need help: 80% of voters say the ability of working parents to find and afford child care is either in a state of crisis or a major problem.

• This is an affordability issue: 82% believe federal child care funding will help lower costs for working families — including 69% of Republicans, 84% of Independents, and 94% of Democrats.

• And there continues to be strong support (62%) for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), a federal program that makes it possible for hundreds of thousands of families to afford safe, quality care for their children while parents work or go to school, including a majority of Republicans, 63% of Independents and 72% of Democrats.

• Support for funding child care programs remains strong: 75% believe child care funding should be increased or kept at current levels — including 75% of Republicans, 85% of Independents, and 97% of Democrats.

• 74% say funding for child care is an important and good use of tax dollars, including a majority of Republicans, three-quarters of Independents, and nine in ten Democrats.

FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling said, “Voters across the country are sending a clear message: federal child care and early learning programs work. These investments help parents stay in the workforce, strengthen families, and support healthy child development. They have also long had strong bipartisan support in Congress. At a time when affordability is top of mind for families, continued federal funding is essential to ensure child care remains accessible and within reach.”

First Five Years Fund works to protect, prioritize, and build bipartisan support for quality child care and early learning programs at the federal level. Reliable, affordable, and high-quality early learning and child care can be transformative, not only enhancing a child’s prospects for a brighter future but also bolstering working parents and fostering economic stability nationwide.

We work with Congress and the Administration to identify federal solutions that work for families with young children, as well as states and communities. We work with policymakers to identify ways to increase access to affordable, high-quality child care and early learning programs for children. And we collaborate with advocacy groups to help align best practices with the best possible policies. http://www.ffyf.org

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Trump’s MAGA Allies are Creating Executive Order Plan to Steal the 2026 Midterms

NNPA NEWSWIRE — The document that could lead to an executive order proposes using the claim that China interfered with the 2020 elections as grounds to “declare a national emergency.” The move would be an unprecedented step that would grant Trump new authority over the voting systems in the U.S.

Published

4 days ago

February 27, 2026

Oakland Post

By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Correspondent

A group of MAGA pro-Trump activists, who say they are working in coordination with the White House, are circulating a 17-page draft executive order that would claim without evidence that China interfered with the 2020 presidential election. Donald Trump lost the 2020 presidential to President Joe Biden by over 7 million votes. Since Trump lost to Biden in 2020, he has repeatedly claimed that the election was “stolen” without evidence. The report of a group of “Trump allies” preparing an executive order to give Trump power over elections was first reported by The Washington Post.

The lies around the right-wing campaign that pushed falsehoods that the 2020 election was stolen was trafficked through right-wing media, particularly Fox News. Fox News was then sued for defamation for the claims by Dominion Voting Systems. Fox lost the case and had to settle for the largest defamation amount on record of $787.5 million in April 2023.

The document that could lead to an executive order proposes using the claim that China interfered with the 2020 elections as grounds to “declare a national emergency.” The move would be an unprecedented step that would grant Trump new authority over the voting systems in the U.S.

The story in The Washington Post arrives as Trump increasingly signals that he may take actions that would alter the result of the 2026 midterms. The Republicans are widely expected to lose as their approval ratings plummet as a result of a failing economy under Trump. Over 50 members of Congress have announced they will retire this year and not return in 2027.

The Trump Department of Justice, which now has a large image of Trump on the side of it, “sued five new states Thursday [Feb. 26, 2026] demanding access to their unredacted voter rolls — escalating a campaign that has been rejected by multiple federal courts and faces resistance from Republican-led states as well,” according to Democracy Docket, a group that works to protect voting rights.

Trump claimed back in late 2020, the last year of his first term, that he had the authority to issue an executive order related to mail-in voting for the 2020 elections — which he would then lose. But the Constitution states that control of elections lies with the states. As the GOP works to place hurdles in front of voting, Democrats worked to make voting easier.

In March 2021, President Biden signed an executive order calling on federal agencies to expand voting access as part of the Biden Administration’s effort “to promote and defend the right to vote for all Americans who are legally entitled to participate in elections.”

Trump’s focus is clearly on altering the November 2026 midterm elections. Trump’s polling numbers and the elections and special elections that have taken place around the U.S. over the last year clearly indicate that Republicans are about to be hit by a blue wave of Democratic victories.

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent investigative journalist and the founder of Black Virginia News. She is a political analyst who appears on #RolandMartinUnfiltered and hosts the show LAUREN LIVE on YouTube @LaurenVictoriaBurke. She can be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke

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PRESS ROOM: NBA Hall of Fame Nominee Terry Cummings Joins 100 Black Men of DeKalb County to Launch Victory & Values Initiative

NNPA NEWSWIRE — NBA Hall of Fame nominee and Basketball Legend Terry Cummings was administered the official member’s oath and ceremonially pinned during a special induction ceremony held on Friday, February 20th.

Published

4 days ago

February 27, 2026

admin

Cummings becomes an honorary member, joining other role model sports stars

NBA Hall of Fame nominee and Basketball Legend Terry Cummings has officially become an honorary member of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County, marking a powerful new chapter for the 100 Black Men and youth development across the region.

Cummings was administered the official member’s oath and ceremonially pinned during a special induction ceremony held on Friday, February 20th. The moment signified more than membership — it marked the launch of the organization’s transformative new platform, the Victory & Values Initiative.

The Victory & Values Initiative is a groundbreaking youth development program designed to empower elementary and middle school students through a dynamic blend of sports, mentorship, and STEM exposure. The initiative focuses on building health, discipline, character, leadership, and access to opportunity — creating pathways for long-term academic and personal success.

“This is about more than sports,” said Cummings during the ceremony. “It’s about using the platform of athletics to teach life lessons, create access, and build the next generation of leaders.”

The induction ceremony also featured notable guests including NASCAR’s newest Star Driver, Lavar Scott and NASCAR Director of Athletic Performance, Phil Horton, who joined Cummings for a powerful Victory & Values Town Hall discussion. The Town Hall was moderated by renowned Sports Emcee John Hollins and focused on leadership, resilience, discipline, and the importance of mentorship in shaping young lives.

A “Day at NASCAR” for 75+ Youth

Cummings wasted no time getting to work. On his first full day as an honorary member, he joined his new brothers of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County to host a “Day at NASCAR,” escorting more than 75 youth to a once-in-a-lifetime experience at EchoPark Motor Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway).

The youth participants received behind-the-scenes access including: an exclusive tour of Pit Row, access to the Garage Area and exploration of the interactive Fan Zone.

The experience culminated with a surprise meet-and-greet and Q&A session with NASCAR Superstar Bubba Wallace, who shared insights on perseverance, preparation, and breaking barriers in professional sports.

The day served as a living example of the ‘Victory & Values’ Initiative in action — exposing youth to new industries, expanding their vision for the future, and connecting them directly with high- level mentors and role models.

Building Leaders Through Access and Mentorship

The 100 Black Men of DeKalb County – a chapter of the largest, national mentoring organization in the county – continues to expand its footprint with programs focused on academic excellence, economic empowerment, leadership development, and health & wellness.

The launch of ‘Victory & Values’ represents a strategic expansion of the organization’s impact

intentionally integrating athletics and STEM to engage youth at an early age while reinforcing core principles such as integrity, accountability, teamwork, and perseverance.

“Our mission has always been to mentor the next generation,” said Vaughn Irons, President-Elect of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County. “With Terry Cummings joining the brotherhood, along with partners in NASCAR and professional sports, we are creating unprecedented access and exposure for our youth. Victory & Values is about turning inspiration into structured opportunity.”

By connecting elementary and middle school students to professional athletes, executives, STEM professionals, and community leaders, the initiative aims to:

Increase youth exposure to careers in sports business, engineering, and performance science
Strengthen mentorship pipelines
Promote physical wellness and mental resilience
Build character-driven leadership at an early age

Open Invitation to Youth and Families

All youth are invited to participate in the Victory & Values Initiative, along with the other countless, impactful programs offered by the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County.

Parents and guardians seeking mentorship, leadership development, academic enrichment, and transformative exposure opportunities for their children are encouraged to connect with the organization.

As NBA Legend Terry Cummings’ induction demonstrates, Victory & Values is more than a program — it is a movement designed to build champions in life, not just in sports.

For more information about the Victory & Values Initiative or to enroll a student, contact: 100 Black Men of DeKalb County at Phone at 404.241.1338, info@100bmod.org or Tee Foxx at 404.791.6525,