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Showing posts from August, 2015

Former Republican majority leader, Eric Cantor, endorses Jeb Bush for president

Eric Cantor endorsed Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush Thursday evening. Cantor tweeted earlier Thursday that he was "AllinforJeb." Cantor is the former Republican majority leader who lost to David Brat, a Virginia professor - and tea-party backer - in the 2014 Virginia House primaries. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump tweeted of the Cantor endorsement, "Who wants the endorsement of a guy (@EricCantor) who lost in perhaps the greatest upset in the history of Congress?” The two presidential candidates have sparred on the issue of immigration. Bush, who is married to a Mexican-American, used the term ' anchor babies ' when speaking about illegal immigrants giving birth in America so their children can become citizens.   He tried 'defending' himself by saying the term didn't apply to Mexicans, but rather Asians (another group who will probably not vote for him, further limiting his chances to become president of t

Civil rights activist, American icon, Julian Bond dies at 75

Civil rights activist Julian Bond died Saturday in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Reports indicate that Bond died from vascular disease. Julian Bond.   Getty photo. Bond was Chairman Emeritus of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).    “From his days as a young activist to his years as both an elder statesman and NAACP Chairman Emeritus, Julian Bond inspired a generation of civil rights leaders", wrote  current NAACP chairman  Roslyn M. Brock  in a statement Sunday.  “From my days as a youth board member of the NAACP to my present tenure as NAACP Chairman, like so many of my generation and before, I am yet inspired by the depth and breadth of Chairman Emeritus Bond’s exemplary service: activist, writer, historian, professor, public intellectual, public servant and an unrelentingly eloquent voice for the voiceless. The grateful citizen heirs of the civil and human rights legacy of Julian Bond can neither be counted nor confined to a gener

The Obamas help friend, Vernon Jordan, celebrate his 80th birthday

The White House issued the following pool report as the Obamas continue their vacation on Martha's Vineyard -- helping close friend, Vernon Jordan, celebrate his 80th birthday. From the White House: "Tonight, the First Family attended the 80th birthday celebration for Vernon Jordan, Jr.  at the Farm Neck Golf Club. There were approximately 200 guests in attendance. "The President and First Lady have known the Jordans for over twenty years, and were grateful to have sat with Ann and other guests this evening. "Toasts were offered between courses. Ann Jordan offered the first toast, welcoming guests and honoring her husband. President Obama then toasted Vernon extolling his kindness and generosity. The President told attendees that Vernon's wisdom and enthusiasm are rare qualities. "Third and fourth toasts were offered by President Clinton and Vickee Jordan, respectively. "Other guests tonight included Morgan Freeman,   Brian Roberts , Henry

The Voting Rights Act: "We're still trying to build a democracy."

The president commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act (VRA).   "There are laws across this country designed to make it harder for people to vote."   A candid conversation on the VRA

Entrepreneurs pitch their product, service during White House 'Demo Day'

Demo Day is normally done in the presence of wealthy Venture Capitalists (VCs) where entrepreneurs pitch (or demonstrate) their product or service idea in hopes of receiving funding (and recognition) to take their business idea to the next level.   On Tuesday, in the first ever Demo Day, entrepreneurs pitched their ideas to the president of the United States. President Obama with Demo Day entrepreneurs.  Photos/CD Brown. The event brought together minority and women-owned businesses, a demographic that often faces more barriers receiving funding. A study revealed that fewer than 3 percent of venture capital-backed companies have a woman as their CEO, while yet another study revealed that fewer than 1 percent have an African American founder.  "We’ve got to make sure that everybody is getting a fair shot", said President Obama, "not leave more than half the team on the bench." The president has received commitments from nearly 50 businesses t

"Diplomacy" key to Iran Nuclear Talks

President Obama spoke at American University on Wednesday to make the case for the administration's nuclear war deal recently reached with Iran. Making the case for the U.S. - Iran nuclear weapons deal: President Obama speaking in the  Prince Salman Grand Auditorium on the campus of American University. Photo/CD Brown.  The president said the current deal, one with far-reaching components, was the best offer that could have been made, short of the alternative which he said - could be war. To the point, and more diplomatically, the agreement stipulates that Iran cannot make a nuclear weapon - ever. The president explained several other components of the deal, which 90 countries support. Under the deal, said the president, "The core of its [Iran's] heavy-water reactor at Arak will be pulled out, filled with concrete, and replaced with one that will not produce plutonium for a weapon.  The spent fuel from that reactor will be shipped out of the country, and Iran