December 8th, 2023

MEDIA KIT

naacp

NAACP’s ‘COVID. KNOW MORE’ initiative continues as Black America’s best defense and resource

Coronavirus, COVID-19, Featured, Health, NAACP, National, News / By

This month, the nation marked a foreboding, record death toll: More than 5,230,000 deaths worldwide as a result of COVID-19. It’s a sad, painful and tragic milestone that signals the obvious: The coronavirus pandemic—here in the U.S. as well as around the globe—is far from over, and simply isn’t going away anytime soon. As Americans begin to ponder once again the safety of gathering with friends, families and loved ones for the holidays, infections once more are on the rise in multiple states. Although the Delta and Lambda variants are showing signs of a steady decline, the new and highly transmissible Omicron variant is emerging across the Atlantic as a cause for concern, and has now arrived in the U.S. Misinformation about the virus and the efficacy of the vaccines, coming from professional athletes and entertainment celebrities alike continues to be recklessly spread, and health professionals are issuing dire warnings about more spikes in cases looming this winter as people will likely choose to socialize indoors, with fewer following mask guidance in confined spaces. For African Americans, who place a high value on their traditional seasonal gatherings, the potential threat of contracting COVID-19 is even greater. Though the majority of eligible Black adults have been fully vaccinated (62 percent) and the numbers of children now being vaccinated also continues a consistent rise, reliable, credible information is still the primary battleground. Deep in the trenches still fighting this fight is the NAACP, which through its ‘COVID.KNOW MORE’ national initiative has been tirelessly working to deliver resources, timely research and data specific to the Black community that can be found nowhere else. “The specter of the COVID-19 pandemic has plagued our nation and the world for 20 long months now, but all of its devastating effects, whether health wise or economic, disproportionately impact our Black community,” states Derrick Johnson, NAACP president & CEO. “Trust the science, and trust the data. As we’ve worked hard to move African Americans toward a phase of recovery, our research shows that the concerns of experts are justified about the coming winter months. “Worries about the Delta …

NAACP’s ‘COVID. KNOW MORE’ initiative continues as Black America’s best defense and resource Read More »

NAACP Sues U.S. Education Secretary Over COVID-19 School Money

#NNPA BlackPress, Black History, Commentary, Community, Derrick Johnson, Education, Government, NAACP, National, News, NNPA, NNPA Newswire, Politics, Stacy Brown / By

NNPA NEWSWIRE — The NAACP formally filed a lawsuit in federal court in Washington, D.C., accusing DeVos of illegally changing the rules for allocating $13.2 billion in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) money to benefit wealthy private k-12 schools.

IN MEMORIAM: John Lewis, an American Hero and Moral Leader Alongside Martin Luther King, Jr., Dies at 80

#NNPA BlackPress, Black History, Commentary, Community, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., Featured, Government, In Memoriam, Lauren Victoria Burke, National, News, NNPA, NNPA Newswire, Politics / By

NNPA NEWSWIRE — The 1965 Selma march was led by John Lewis. Lewis was perhaps the last remaining voice of moral authority from the civil rights era. Voting rights remains a challenge in the U.S. Lewis was on the front lines of that effort which was resisted by white racists in the South attempting to stifle Black voting power for decades. Lewis’ efforts and the increase in Black voting registration of African Americans in the South changed U.S. politics forever. The power of Black voters was first seen nationally with the election of President Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Celebrities Make News on BlackPressUSA’s #FIYAH! Livestreams

#NNPA BlackPress, Black History, Business, Commentary, Community, Entertainment, Featured, National, News, NNPA, NNPA Newswire, Nsenga K. Burton, Stacey M. Brown, Stacy Brown, Video / By

NNPA NEWSWIRE — They’ve included Los Angeles Lakers Legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar, hip-hop icons Chuck D, Ice Cube, Russell Simmons, and Big Daddy Kane. They’ve also included important conversations with civil rights attorney Ben Crump, Congresswoman Karen Bass, Ben & Jerry’s CEO Michael McCarthy, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard, NAACP President Derrick Johnson, Republican Paris Dennard, singers CeCe Peniston and Jody Watley, gospel singer Kevin LeVar, Supremes Icon Mary Wilson, and Temptations founder Otis Williams. The #FIYAH! interview with Reggae icon Ziggy Marley has reached millions.

NFL Will Play Black National Anthem at Games

#NNPA BlackPress, Black History, Business, Community, Featured, National, News, NNPA Newswire, Sports, Stacey M. Brown, Stacy Brown / By

NNPA NEWSWIRE — The NFL remains at the forefront of the new understanding, and now they’ve taken that knowledge, and, in an unprecedented decision, the league announced it would play Lift Every Voice and Sing – the Black National Anthem – before every opening day game this year. The performance of the song will occur before “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the NFL said. The league’s season opener is scheduled for September 10, with the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Houston Texans.

Houston’s ‘Lizzo’ among Black Hollywood A-listers nominated for NAACP Image Awards

Arts, Entertainment, Local, National, News / By

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – The nominees for the 51st NAACP Image Awards were announced Thursday at a joint press conference with Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP and Connie Orlando – Executive Vice-President, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy. Houston’s own Lizzo is among the honorees! The winners will be revealed during the two-hour LIVE TV special airing on BET Networks on Saturday, February 22, 2020 8/7c. Netflix leads the television category nominations with 30, with an additional 12 nominations in the motion picture categories for a total of 42. RCA Records leads in the music recording categories with 14, followed by Columbia Records and BMG respectively with 7. Universal Pictures leads the motion picture categories with 15 nominations, and Penguin Random House has 8 nominations followed by HarperCollins with 4 in the literary categories. “Representation across entertainment and the arts has profound meaning and unparalleled power to shape perceptions, influence culture, and galvanize communities,” said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson. “This year’s nominees have conveyed a wide range of authentic stories and experiences that have resonated with many, and we’re proud to continue celebrating their outstanding achievements and performances.” “This is a historic occasion for BET Networks, and we’re thrilled to be able to celebrate our network’s 40th anniversary in conjunction with this milestone moment of hosting the NAACP Image Awards,” said Scott Mills, President of BET Networks. “It is our distinct privilege to be able to acknowledge contributions of talent in TV, music, movies and literature and we look forward to celebrating these contributions next month.” The NAACP Image Awards honors the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature, and film and also recognizes individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors. The Image Awards previously aired on TV One. In previous years, Image Awards attendees included Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, Taraji P. Henson, Viola Davis, Gabrielle Union, Kerry Washington, Anthony Anderson, Sterling K. Brown, Mandy Moore, Halle Berry, Common, Dwayne Johnson, Steve Harvey, Audra Day, John Legend, Lena Waithe, Tracee Ellis Ross, David Oyelowo, Laverne Cox, Octavia …

Houston’s ‘Lizzo’ among Black Hollywood A-listers nominated for NAACP Image Awards Read More »

NAACP Hosted Tele-Town Hall Featuring Sen. Cory Booker and Sen. Kamala Harris on Comcast Attack on Civil Rights

National, News / By

BALTIMORE (November 13, 2019)— The NAACP hosted a special tele-town hall with Senator Cory Booker and Senator Kamala Harris, along with Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO, and Bradford M. Berry, NAACP General Counsel to call attention to the Comcast Supreme Court Case. The case that sits before the Supreme Court is an outright attack on Black contractors and hinders the progression of Black businesses. Over 6,000 attendees heard about why the Supreme Court must protect one of the country’s longest-standing civil rights laws. The call started with Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP reaffirming the importance of section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which allows people of color to bring cases of discrimination before a court of law. “The case that sits before the Supreme Court is one of monumental importance to the protection and continuation of Black businesses and contractors,” said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO, NAACP. “The attempt to turn back the clock on one of the most vital civil rights protections is a grave threat to the very fabric of the nation — we will continue to fight so that section 1981 is preserved for generations to come.” Senator Cory Booker offered remarks and answered questions on the relevancy of this critical case. He iterated that Comcast is defending itself in a manner that seeks to tear down an essential part of Civil Rights and has wide-sweeping consequences on the Black Community as a whole. “I still find it just so egregious that this is equivalent to an attack on one of our most durable and oldest civil rights laws”, said Senator Cory Booker. Booker went on to explain that striking section 1981 would make it very hard for those facing discrimination to have their case heard. It would require the plaintiffs to prove that the adverse outcome would not have occurred but for discrimination on the part of the defendant. After Sen. Booker, Senator Kamala Harris spoke and stated, “Justice and equality are at stake in this Supreme Court case and I am very concerned about the lasting implications that …

NAACP Hosted Tele-Town Hall Featuring Sen. Cory Booker and Sen. Kamala Harris on Comcast Attack on Civil Rights Read More »

Response to Statement Made at the NAACP Banquet

letters, Opinion / By

I am told that at the NAACP Banquet on Friday night, October 25, one of the speakers said that all Preachers had sold out, politically. I personally question and challenge this statement because he does not know all the Preachers, and he does not know me. Yes, this speaker sounds like a plantation, handkerchief southern Negro from North Carolina that showed his ignorance and disrespect for those persons of Black churches that helped him get elected. I am not surprised to hear that our local elected officials, our Mayor, Sylvester Turner, our Congresswoman, Sheila Jackson-Lee and our Congressman, Al Green, led the jumping up and giving high fives in support and endorsement to that statement. I am a preacher of 75 years in the pulpit and Pastor of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church for 61 years at 90 years old and I have never sold out to any politician, but I am sold out to Christ Jesus and the King James version of the Holy Bible. If I am guilty of anything, it is giving my life work working my butt off to help Blacks that aspired for public office get elected and have not received a “thank you” and have not done a very good job with the positions they were elected for; the Black people are still in dire need of help. I may not be wrong to state that most Black politicians that have gotten elected and serve in different political offices in government have been bought, at the expense and over the backs of their Black citizens. For most of them were poor or in the small middle class before election and today they are all close to being rich if not millionaires and their constituents and communities still suffering for basic attention. Most Black politicians help other races and groups and ignore their own. You, elected officials, must remember you are not the “Boss” of Preachers, churches or communities, but the representatives. Rev. F.N. Williams, Sr.

Rev. Al Sharpton Confirms Meeting With Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg To Address Urgent Civil Rights Concerns

National, News / By

Rev. Al Sharpton, President of National Action Network (NAN), recently released the following statement following confirmation from Facebook that CEO Mark Zuckerberg would meet with Sharpton and other civil rights leaders to discuss urgent voter suppression concerns on the social platform. “Last week, I sent a letter to Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, requesting a face-to-face meeting with me and other national civil rights leaders to discuss Facebook’s policy to decline to fact-check the accuracy of politicians’ content on Facebook. I have deep concerns that this policy is a misinformation vehicle that could aid voter suppression and voter misinformation efforts, and it should be stopped immediately.” “I received a letter back from Mr. Zuckerberg agreeing my request and I will meet with him early next week in California to press our concerns. I expect to be joined in the meeting by Marc Morial of the National Urban League, Derrick Johnson of the NAACP, Sherrilyn Ifill of the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, Vanita Gupta of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, and Kristen Clarke of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law, among others.” “The fact that Twitter and even some Facebook employees have taken strong stands on this issue only furthers the need for Mr. Zuckerberg to reconsider his position. In an era of voter suppression, we must press with all we have to protect our civil rights and voting rights. This is not an issue of free speech; this is an issue of voter misinformation and voter suppression.”

African American News & Issues
6130 Wheatley St
Houston, TX 77091
(713) 692-1892

P.O. Box 41820
Houston, TX 77241

Subscribe to our newsletter

Copyright © 2023. African American News & Issues. All rights reserved. | Private Policy | Terms of Use

Facebook Twitter-square Instagram Youtube-square

October 16, 2023, HOUSTON, TX – Congressional Candidate Amanda Edwards has raised over $1 million in less than 4 months, a substantial sum that helps bolster the frontrunner status of the former At-Large Houston City Council Member in her bid for U.S. Congress. Edwards raised over $433,000 in Q3 of 2023. This strong Q3 report expands on a successful Q2 where Edwards announced just 11 days after declaring her candidacy that she had raised over $600,000. With over $829,000 in cash-on-hand at the end of the September 30th financial reporting period, Edwards proves again that she is the clear frontrunner in the race. “I am beyond grateful for the strong outpouring of support that will help me to win this race and serve the incredible people of the 18th Congressional District,” said Edwards. “We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s trajectory, and we need to send servant leaders to Congress who can deliver the results the community deserves. The strong support from our supporters will help us to cultivate an 18th Congressional District where everyone in it can thrive.” Edwards said. “Amanda understands the challenges that the hard-working folks of the 18th Congressional District face because she has never lost sight of who she is or where she comes from; she was born and raised right here in the 18th Congressional District of Houston,” said Kathryn McNiel, spokesperson for Edwards’ campaign. Edwards has been endorsed by Higher Heights PAC, Collective PAC, Krimson PAC, and the Brady PAC. She has also been supported by Beto O’Rourke, among many others. About Amanda: Amanda is a native Houstonian, attorney and former At-Large Houston City Council Member. Amanda is a graduate of Eisenhower High School in Aldine ISD. Edwards earned a B.A. from Emory University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Edwards practiced law at Vinson & Elkins LLP and Bracewell LLP before entering public service. Edwards is a life-long member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Acres Homes. For more information, please visit www.edwardsforhouston.com

As September 13th rolls around, we extend our warmest birthday wishes to the creative powerhouse, Tyler Perry, a man whose indomitable spirit and groundbreaking work have left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. With his multifaceted talents as an actor, playwright, screenwriter, producer, and director, Tyler Perry has not only entertained but also inspired audiences worldwide, particularly within the African-American community, where his influence and role have been nothing short of powerful. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1969, Tyler Perry’s journey to stardom was a path riddled with adversity. Raised in a turbulent household, he found refuge in writing, using it as a therapeutic outlet. This period of introspection gave rise to one of his most iconic creations, Madea, a vivacious, no-nonsense grandmother who would later become a beloved figure in Perry’s works, offering a unique blend of humor and profound life lessons. Despite facing numerous challenges, including rejection and financial struggles, Perry’s determination and unwavering belief in his abilities propelled him forward. In 1992, he staged his first play, “I Know I’ve Been Changed,” which, although met with limited success, was a pivotal moment in his career. Unfazed by initial setbacks, Perry continued to hone his craft, and by 1998, he had successfully produced a string of stage plays that showcased his storytelling prowess.

Calling all teenage student-athletes! If you have dreams of playing college soccer and wish to represent an HBCU, the HBCU ID Camp is your golden opportunity. From 8 am to 5 pm on November 11-12, Houston Sports Park will transform into a hub for aspiring male and female soccer players. Coaches from HBCUs across the nation will be present to evaluate, scout, and offer valuable feedback. Moreover, they might even spot the next soccer prodigy to join their collegiate soccer programs. This camp is not just about honing your soccer skills but also a chance to connect with the HBCU soccer community. You’ll learn the ins and outs of what it takes to excel on the field and in the classroom, which is crucial for a college athlete. The HBCU ID Camp is an excellent platform to network with coaches, learn from experienced athletes, and take the first steps toward your college soccer journey. To secure your spot at this incredible event, don’t forget to register [here](insert registration link). Space is limited to 120 participants, so make sure to reserve your place before it’s too late. It’s time to turn your dreams of playing college soccer into a reality.

Scroll to Top
Search