Author: Carma Henry

     “So, let’s speak plainly about what happened in 2020. Even before the first ballot was cast, the former president was preemptively sowing doubt about the election results. He built his lie over months. It wasn’t based on any facts. He was just looking for an excuse, a pretext to cover for the truth. He’s not just a former president. He’s a defeated former president. Defeated by a margin of over seven million of your votes. In a full and free and fair election.”

     Over the past year, we have witnessed loyalists of the 45th President work to unravel the threads that hold the fabric of our representative democracy together. His followers, fueled by a constant diet of disinformation, have harassed and intimidated election officials across the country, causing many to resign their positions out of fear for themselves and their families.

      Former first lady Michelle Obama is kicking off the new year with more efforts to fight back against voter sup-pression in 2022. Obama sent out a lengthy letter titled “Fight For Our Vote,” urging Americans to stay focused on democracy ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.

Damien Sneed, the multi-genre composer, bandleader, musician, and vocalist, announces a brand-new multi-media touring show for 2022, titled A Tribute to Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul. This dynamic presentation celebrating the amazing musical legacy of the late Ms. Franklin, arranged, and musically directed by Sneed, will feature an accomplished cast of jazz, gospel, and soul musicians and vocalists. The North American tour kicks off Thursday, February 3, 2022, at the Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and concludes on Sunday, March 20, 2022, at the Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College in Flushing, NY.

Rudy Molinet, FACHE, CEO and executive coach at Artemis Synergies Consulting, a full-service consulting practice specializing in strategic planning, management development, executive coaching, and corporate restructuring in the healthcare industry, and Nikki Austin-Shipp, founder and managing principal of The N.A.S. Advisory Group, LLC, which specializes in creating relationships that provide added value to both entities and individuals in governance, corporate America and charitable affairs, have been appointed to the Holy Cross Health Board of Directors.

     “We are thrilled to welcome Vincent Evans to the Congressional Black Caucus. As a leader for effective change, Vincent will help the CBC reach greater heights and make substantive advances in 2022,” said Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03).

     Wells’ doll will be included in Barbie’s Inspiring Women collection which is part of its Dream Gap campaign; an initiative launched by the brand designed to inspire and empower girls through representation. As part of the project, Barbie has created a collection of dolls that depict real-life diverse changemakers in an effort to amplify their stories and create toys in which children can see themselves reflected.

      Martin Luther King III and his wife Arndrea Waters King acknowledged Tuesday that it was a “difficult decision” for them to attend President Joe Biden’s upcoming speech on voting rights, an event several high-profile activists are skipping because of what they view as the White House’s inaction on the issue.

     Trump’s supporters violently attacked the Capitol shortly after Trump’s speech, over-running entrances, assaulting police officers and breaking glass doors as Vice President Michael Pence during the violent insurrection at the Capitol. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser called Governors in surrounding states for assistance from their National Guard.

     King’s family has requested no celebration unless federal lawmakers pass voting rights legislation, a task that appears out of reach as President Joe Biden and several Democrats have faced stiff Republican opposition.