Juneteenth Observances Spread From State to State, Except for These
How Geography and Politics Obstructed the Celebration of Juneteenth. After Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed an executive order on May 24, 2024 and West Virginia Governor signed similar legislation on June 4 of 2024, making Juneteenth an official state holiday only four states don’t recognize the holiday; Hawaii, North Dakota, and Montana still have no official state celebration for the holiday. Actually, a dozen states don't recognize the day as a permanent state paid holiday, but most recognize the day in other ways, like a day of observance or
Donavan McKinney for Congress Picks Up Bernie Sanders Endorsement, Signals Shift in MI-13 Race
State Representative Donavan McKinney stood on Detroit’s northeast side as a child, witnessing firsthand the impact of housing insecurity, low wages, and inconsistent government support. His family moved more than a dozen times. His mother held multiple jobs to keep the lights on. That upbringing shaped how he approaches policy, accountability, and political service. Now, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders has endorsed McKinney for Congress in Michigan’s 13th District. The endorsement came just six weeks into McKinney’s campaign, making it the first public show of support in the race
Field Foundation President Daniel Ash Reflects Equity, Community and Social Justice in Chicago
For Daniel Ash, the work of social justice is more than a profession; it’s a calling rooted in personal experience and shaped by the transformative power of human connection. What began as a simple urge to help his hometown community in Ohio has evolved into a decades-long mission to build equity, amplify the voices of underrepresented individuals and uplift communities across Chicago. Today, Ash serves as president of the Field Foundation, where he leads efforts to support nonprofits that are reshaping the city, particularly on the South and West
Carlos Carter, President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh Leaving Position to Explore Opportunities
There is a vacancy at the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh. A big one. The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned exclusively that Carlos T. Carter is no longer the President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh. The Courier has learned that Carter’s final day was May 13. The Courier reported the hoopla around Carter becoming President and CEO of the iconic organization on Nov. 10, 2021. He took over for the Urban League mainstay, Esther Bush, who was the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh President and CEO
Jalen Rose Named Recipient of 2025 Ice Cube Impact Award
- Rose to be Honored during Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s Enshrinement Weekend - The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and ground-breaking rap star, renowned blockbuster film producer and actor, entrepreneur, and co-founder of the BIG3 basketball league, Ice Cube, have announced that former player, TV analyst, and philanthropist Jalen Rose will be honored with the 2025 Ice Cube Impact Award. “It’s truly an honor to be recognized by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame with the Ice Cube Impact Award,” said Jalen Rose. “Cube is family, and we share
Meet Opal Lee — The Woman Who Fought To Make Juneteenth A US Holiday
On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill into law officially making Juneteenth a federal holiday. The push to get the historic day recognized at the federal level had been decades in the making, and 94-year-old Opal Lee, known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” had championed efforts for years. Lee told NPR that the wait for Juneteenth being a US holiday has been 155 years 11 months and 28 days in the making. “And now we can all finally celebrate. The whole country together,” Lee said after the House passed a bill officially establishing
Regenia Sanders, Consultant to Fortune 500 and Pivate Equity Portfolios Delivers on Global Programs
Regenia leads the EY US-Central Supply Chain practice and serves as the Atlanta Office Managing Partner. She has 22 years of experience driving supply chain assessment and transformation projects, spanning sourcing, procurement and planning to fulfillment for Fortune 500 and private equity portfolio companies. Sanders is an executive with over 25 years of business transformation and consulting experience with Fortune 500 and Private Equity portfolio companies across multiple sectors, including Communications & High Tech, Retail and Utilities, but primarily focused in the Automotive and Industrial Manufacturing sector. Her area of specialty has been
COO Malik Nevels Reflects on Legacy, Leadership and Purpose as Men of Excellence Honoree
For this Chicago Defender Men of Excellence award recipient, the honor is more than a career achievement. It's an acknowledgment of the individuals, locations and principles who shaped him. “Being named a Chicago Defender Men of Excellence honoree is a profound honor. It’s a recognition not only of personal achievement but of the collective work of mentors, colleagues, and communities that have shaped and supported me along the way.," said Malik S. Nevels, chief operating officer of Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC). "It's a validation of individual
Nayanna Ferguson Moves Spirits with Black-owned Tequila Brand
The tequila craze that’s been gripping the country for the past couple of decades shows no sign of tapering off anytime soon, and in fact, indicators point to an uptick in the consumption of distilled spirits derived from the blue agave plant. And as producers and distributors are experiencing remarkable growth in local and international markets, and the “shot, shot, shot,” chant continues to ring out in college bars and reputable restaurants alike, Black distillers are shifting the tides of tequila consumption. Mexico is the birthplace of tequila,
NFL’s Joique Bell Launches Free Summer Program at Wayne State to Empower Detroit Middle Schoolers Through Academics, Sports, and Mentorship
Born in Benton Harbor, "Detroit Made" former NFL running back for the Detroit Lions Joique Bell is taking his commitment to the city’s youth to the next level this summer, launching a five-week academic and athletic enrichment program designed to empower middle school students through a mix of STEAM learning, sports, mentorship, and real-world career exposure. Set to run from June 23 through July 29 at Wayne State University, the alma mater of Joique Bell, the Joique Bell Charity Summer Enrichment Program is completely free and open to