Author: Carma Henry

      There are a lot of MAGA members at the taco stand and the Cuban coffee shop. Cisco might be MAGA, Pancho might be MAGA, Desi might be MAGA and Lucy Ricardo might be MAGA. We don’t know.

     Instead of focusing only on the candidates this year, we should think about their staffing agendas. To paraphrase John Donne, no president is an island. Whoever we elect will nominate or appoint a Chief of Staff, Secretaries of the Cabinet, National Security Advisor, White House Counsel, Press Secretary, a variety of Advisors (homeland security, science, climate), Ambassadors, Federal Judges, possibly including Supreme Court Justice nominees, and miscellaneous assistants, aides and all sorts of people to help with important decision making as well as day-to-day routine governing.

       Education has always been a contentious issue, but as we approach the 2024 elections, it’s become ground zero for broader cultural and political clashes. Book bans targeting diverse and inclusive materials are on the rise, and restrictive gag orders are silencing classroom discussions on critical topics like race, gender, and American history. With the conservative agenda of Project 2025 gaining traction, the threat to both democracy and public education has never been more urgent. In times like these, it’s easy to feel powerless—but, as citizens, we can’t afford to disengage. The fight for our country’s future begins at the local level, particularly with our school boards.

     And we are not just breathing in plastic pollution. We are eating it and drinking it. To add insult to injury, much of that plastic pollution came from items like plastic water bottles that consumers thought would be recycled.

     Both the Harris and Trump campaigns must understand that diverse cannabis voters are looking for a President who supports legalization with equity. A diverse cannabis industry built on fairness can generate wealth and help address the harms caused by past policies. The industry also offers opportunities in AgTech, clean energy, and cannabis tourism, which can drive growth in key states. In a new poll released on August 31 by Ragnar Research, undecided voters in key swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin strongly support marijuana reform, with 84% of respondents favoring medical cannabis and 62% backing broader adult-use legalization.

Florida A&M University (FAMU) School of Business and Industry (SBI) celebrates the grand opening of its revamped Investments and Analytics Lab, made possible through the support of corporate partners, PGIM and PwC. PGIM has provided a $1 million gift over the course of five years to support SBI’s preparation of the next generation of business school graduates. Additionally, PWC has provided $100,000 for the purchase of the computers in the Investments and Analytics Lab. 

   Former NABJ Vice President-Print Kathy Chaney has been named executive editor of The Times of Northwest Indiana, effective Oct. 1. Her appointment marks a historic milestone as she becomes the publication’s first Black and female newsroom leader. The Times has the largest news and sports staff in the region.

The latest rate cut sounds great, but what’s the real impact for Black homebuyers? Here’s what you need to consider.

How Are Black Churches Preparing for Election 2024?

The Obama White House  (obamawhitehouse.archives.gov) chronicled President Obama eulogizing the death of the ‘Godmother of Civil Rights.” President Obama said,  “Michelle and I were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Dorothy Height – the godmother of the Civil Rights Movement and a hero to so many Americans.  Ever since she was denied entrance to college because the incoming class had already met its quota of two African American women, Dr. Height devoted her life to those struggling for equality. She led the National Council of Negro Women for 40 years, and served as the only woman at the highest level of the Civil Rights Movement – witnessing every march and milestone along the way. And even in the final weeks of her life – a time when anyone else would have enjoyed their well-earned rest – Dr. Height continued her fight to make our nation a more open and inclusive place for people of every race, gender, background and faith. Michelle and I offer our condolences to all those who knew and loved Dr. Height – and all those whose lives she touched.”