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The National Law Group (NLG) announced recently that several African-American attorneys from across the country have been admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States of America.
According to a statement from the Atlanta, Ga.-based organization, the list includes Carlos E. Moor; John A. Moore; Trent A. McCain; Rodney F. Barganier; Carl L. Collins III; and Bethew Jennings III; and newest
NLG members Andre T. Young and Earnest A. DeLoach.
NLG, which is headed by Carlos E. Moore, is the first-ever nationwide legal services company made up entirely of talented Black lawyers.The organization's mission is to assist individuals who have been harmed and hold those who are at fault accountable.
Collectively, the group’s attorneys have more than 100 years of combined experience, and more than 70 percent of their clients are African Americans for whom the attorneys have won more than $50 million in verdicts or settlements.
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During the first leg of her three-nation African tour, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said over the weekend in a visit to Zambia, that while America wants to expand trade with Africa by investing in the continent's people, Africa should be warned against a "new colonialism" as China increases its presence.
Noting China's massive investments and business interests in Africa, Clinton -- who reportedly commented in a television interview -- also gave her opinion on China's top-down command economy, stating that it was not a model for other developing nations.
Clinton -- the first secretary of state to visit Zambia since Henry Kissinger was there 35 years go to give a speech on the country's policy for southern Africa -- added that African leaders must ensure foreign projects are sustainable and benefit all their citizens, not only elites, according the Huffington Post (HP).
"It is easy, and we saw that during colonial times, it is easy to come in, take out natural resources, pay off leaders and leave," HP quoted Clinton as saying. "And when you leave, you don't leave much behind for the people who are there. We don't want to see a new colonialism in Africa." Clinton also said that the United States didn't want foreign governments and investors to fail in Africa, but they should also give back to the local communities, HP further reported.
"We want them to do well, but also we want them to do good," she said.
"We don't want them to undermine good governance, we don't want them to basically deal with just the top elites, and frankly too often pay for their concessions or their opportunities to invest."
According to the Agence France-Presse (AFP), Zambia estimated that China invested $1 billion dollars there in 2010, which resulted in the creation of 15,000 jobs. AFP also reported that a deal with China's Zhougui Mining -- announced earlier this year -- promises another $5 billion dollars in investment over the next few years.
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The nation’s high unemployment rate could cost President Barack Obama his job in 2012.
Such has been the sentiment of economists across the country who have been keeping watch over the rate of joblessness, which continues to disproportionately impact African Americans.
"No president has ever been re-elected with an unemployment this high," Christian Dorsey, director for external and government affairs at the D.C.-based Economic Policy Institute, told the Washington Informer. "So it would be unprecedented for a president to have unemployment rates this high [since President Franklin Roosevelt] and to enjoy re-election [as], it’s never happened before."
According to the U. S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics’ May 2011 report, while the nationwide unemployment rate of 9.1 percent remained essentially unchanged over the past year, the current rate for African Americans stands at 16.2 percent. Last year at this time, the rate for unemployed African Americans hovered around 15 percent.
William Galston, a domestic policy expert who worked in the Clinton administration, said in GPB News interview that he believes Obama has dropped the ball on jobs.
"I have long thought that President Obama hasn't placed economic growth and jobs dead center in his agenda consistently enough," Galston said. "That was a principle reason the health care adventure dismayed me."
Economists also contend that the economic recovery initiative set in motion in 2009 by the Obama administration, has come to a grinding to a halt.
As a result, the president – who is angling for a second term at the helm – could face some complications, they have said.
To that end, Dorsey added that in moving forward, people are going to expect Obama to be managing a plan that will not only grow jobs, but which will eventually bring the economy back to where it needs to be.
The District of Columbia’s highly-acclaimed PowerCentsDC pilot program is featured in a new report that was released this week by the White House.
The report, entitled "A Policy Framework For The 21st Century Grid," cites the District’s initiatives on smart metering and smart pricing of electricity, according to a statement announcing its launch.
The report was prepared by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). Its release coincides with a June 13 meeting at the White House where several high-level administrators that included SGCC Director Patty Durand, private-sector leaders and other innovators who gathered from across the nation to learn of the new initiatives surrounding the collaborative. The initiatives include $250 million in loans for smart-grid technology deployment.
"A 21st-century grid is essential to America’s ability to lead the world in clean energy and win the future," John P.Holdren, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, was quoted as saying at the meeting. "By unlocking the potential of innovation in the electric grid, we are allowing consumers and businesses to use energy more efficiently even as we help utilities provide cleaner energy and more reliable service."
According to the statement, the District has taken a major step toward a smarter grid through its award-winning smart metering pilot, which enabled approximately 900 Pepco customers at all income levels to save money and better manage their energy use.
It goes on to state that, currently, Pepco is replacing 280,000 old-fashioned analog meters in the Nation’s Capital with two-way digital "smart meters," pursuant to 2009 legislation enacted by the D.C. Council, with full-scale deployment beginning in 2012.
"The District will be among the first jurisdictions in the country to make the benefits of smart grid technologies available to every consumer," Rick Morgan, D.C. public service commission said in the statement. He added that among the benefits of advanced metering, are operational savings such as reduced metering costs and the ability of consumers to control their utility bills and minimize environmental impacts.
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A 250-page report by an ethics reform panel in Prince George’s County recommends strengthening the county’s Board of Ethics and beefing up oversight among officials. In doing so, the county aims to avoid a repeat of the scandal that has plagued it since the arrest last year of former executive Jack Johnson in a pay-to-play scheme.
The Accountability, Compliance and Integrity (ACI) report was presented on June 13 to Baker and County Council Chair Ingrid M. Turner. Baker said he never doubted the panel would get the job done.
"I look forward to reading the report findings and continuing to move the County forward as a result of this body of work,"Baker said in a statement.
The panel – known as Accountability, Compliance and Integrity Advisory Board – was formed last December at the beginning of Baker’s administration to help provide transparent, open and accountable services for county residents.
By April, under leadership of former Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke, the panel had been tasked with establishing an anonymous tip line and looking into the creation of a public watchdog office that would require employees to participate in yearly training.
In a list of recommendations, the panel has also urged officials to revisit its policy for awarding contracts in order to avoid incidences of cronyism
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Black women are taking the lead over whites and other ethnic groups in childbirth and pregnancy-relted deaths, according to an article entitled, "Maternal Mortality Rates Are Increasing for African-American Women," on Black News.com
Among conditions attributed to their deaths are high rates of obesity, high blood pressure and inadequate prenatal care. Also, increasing deaths from caesarean sections among African-Americans who were dangerously overweight or suffered from hypertension or other ailments, have been case for concern, the article noted.
While a 2008 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention report states that nationally, blacks were four times more likely than whites to have a have a pregnancy-related death, new reports have revealed that the pregnancy-related mortality rate in some states rivals that in some developing nations. Particularly in New York City, where blacks are nearly eight times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than whites, and in California where pregnant blacks are four times as likely to die from childbirth, according to the article.
"When we look at some of the factors associated with maternal mortality, most of the underlying factors tend to be dominant in the African-American community, and it is manifested in the health disparities that affect our population," Dr. Kerry M. Lewis, chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Howard University's College of Medicine and chief of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, was quoted as saying.
Lewis, who specializes in high-risk pregnancies, also said that patients are too often treated by family practitioners, nurse midwives, general obstetricians and gynecologists instead of specialists trained in high-risk pregnancies and medical problems that can cause complications during birth.
"We have to look at the reality of where we practice," Lewis added. "Obesity is much greater among African-Americans. I deal with a gamut of high-risk problems, but complications from obesity are an underlying problem in all of them."
But according to a report published in April on womensenews.org, the pattern of blacks dying at higher rates in childbirth and pregnancy doesn’t surprise Dr. David R. Williams, professor of African and African studies at Harvard University.
"This pattern is not unique to childbirth," Williams said. "It affects the health of African Americans from cradle to grave and has continued for over 100 years. Today, African Americans are more likely to die of 13 of the top 15 causes of death than are whites."
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it is launching a national media campaign to kick off Fair Housing Month, celebrated across the country each April to commemorate the passage of the Fair Housing Act. The "Live Free" campaign will use newspaper and magazine ads, as well as the latest digital media, including social networking sites, to increase the Department's efforts to educate the public and housing providers about their fair housing rights and responsibilities.
"Much has changed since the Fair Housing Act became law in 1968. Our country is more diverse than it's ever been. These changes have brought new challenges as we continue our fight to address inequality in housing," said John Trasvina, HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. "Our society is more technologically advanced today. Therefore, this new campaign uses the latest media tools to better reach all people about housing discrimination and what to do if they experience it."
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Armed with the support of more than half of the D.C. City Council, acting Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson is poised for confirmation that will reportedly take place sometime during the week of June 20.
The 13-member Council began hearing testimony on June 16 from residents and groups that included the Washington Teachers Union (WTU) – which had a contentious relationship with Henderson’s predecessor, Michelle Rhee.
However, WTU President Nathan Saunders said the union’s relationship with Henderson was on course and that it has had no qualms with Mayor Vincent Gray having selected her as the next chancellor.
"The mayor’s choice has no sworn enemies in the union," Saunders said of Henderson, 41, a native of Mt. Vernon, NY.
But Henderson, who has some 13 years experience working in the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) system, has for instance, had to deal with criticism over IMPACT – the new teacher evaluation system she helped Rhee to craft.
Nevertheless, she has been determined to forge her own agenda. During a break in testimony, Henderson was approached by reporters who began to query her on her tenure under Rhee.
"First of all, my name is Kaya Henderson,"she responded. "I don’t want to talk about it – I will be about it."
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Two longtime assistants who worked last year for former Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich on his 2010 bid for re-election, have been accused of trying to suppress the vote among black Democrats during the campaign.
Paul E. Schurick, 54, one of Ehrlich’s most trusted aides, and Julius Henson, 62, a paid consultant, have been charged with a string election law violations stemming from an automated call that was placed to more than 110,000 Democrats in Baltimore and Prince George’s County, according to a Washington Post report.
The 33-page indictment – obtained online by Washington Informer – states that "the plan centered on what was termed the "Schurick Doctrine," which was designed to promote confusion, emotionalism and frustration among African Americans focused in precincts where there were high concentrations of [the black] vote."
In the automated message which was recorded in a woman’s voice, callers were reportedly told that: "Hello. I’m calling to let everyone know that Gov. O’Malley and President Obama have been successful. Our goals have been met. The polls were correct, and we took it back. We’re okay. Relax. Everything’s fine. The only thing left is to watch it on TV tonight. Congratulations, and thank you."
In addition, Henson, who is African American, accepted $111,000 from the campaign for "community outreach services" to suppress the black vote, according to the online site, Daily Kos.
There has been no indication that Ehrlich was involved.
"I believe in the rule of law. I believe in my friend and colleague, Paul Schurick," Ehrlich said in a recently released statement. "I hope a fair resolution is reached as quickly as possible for both Paul and Mr. Henson."
President Barack Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) have released a report that details the positive impact and significant potential of U.S. Inbound Foreign Direct Investment, while highlighting the administration’s open investment policy which allows foreign-based companies to grow and expand their businesses across the United States.
A June 20 White House statement which announced the report, adds that it outlines how foreign-based companies that invest directly in the U.S. economy create high-quality, well-paid jobs for American workers – by building new facilities, investing in research and development and growing warehouses, sales offices and service centers.
"The United States is an attractive location for foreign companies to invest due to our strong and open economy, our productive workforce, a unique culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable colleges and universities, and a business environment underpinned by transparency, protection of intellectual property, and the rule of law," said Obama. "At a time where we need to use every tool in our toolbox to continue to put Americans back to work and grow the economy here at home, promoting foreign direct investment is an important opportunity to accelerate our economic recovery."
According the statement, the U.S. continues to receive the most foreign direct investment of any country in the world. It goes on to note that the CEA reports that in 2010, the U.S. inbound foreign direct investment rebounded sharply and increased by 49 percent from the economic crisis level it reached in 2009.
Last week, the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness put forward a set of ideas for accelerating private sector job growth. Promoting foreign direct investment was one of the recommendations put forward by the group of private sector leaders because of the great potential for the American economy.
Grand opening ceremonies for the African American Civil War Museum located in Northwest, have been set to coincide with commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War and the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement.
The three-day celebration, which kicks off on July 16, is themed "Civil War to Civil Rights, Pathway to Racial Healing,"and will include a Racial Reconciliation, Teachers and Scholars Conference and a Civil War to Civil Rights Film Festival.
"The purpose of the museum is to tell the story of how African Americans helped save the union and freed themselves from war," said Director Frank Smith, a former Ward 1 Councilman.
The grand opening for the museum which boasts $5 million in exhibits, takes place at noon on July 18. The event was planned to directly connect to the July 18, 1863 battle that was depicted in the movie "Glory," that starred Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington.
According to a statement issued by the museum, for more than 10 years, the memorial and museum have stood as a testament to the struggle of African Americans and others to rid this nation of the scourge of slavery and racial bias.
Mayor Vincent Gray and Congresswoman Eleanor Norton are among elected officials and dignitaries who have been invited.
For more information call 202-667-2667.
With more than 3 percent of all city residents over the age of 12 being infected, HIV/AIDS has become a prime health concern in the District. Also, according to a recently-released report from the city’s Department of Health (DOH), this is the third consecutive year that DOH – in conjunction with the HIV/AIDS Administration – has reported a number that high – the highest rate of any city in the country.
The report further reveals that while nearly all District wards have at least 1 percent of its residents infected, that overall, the disease continues to impact blacks more severely – 4.7 percent for black residents compared to 2.2 percent for Hispanic residents and 1.5 percent for whites.
Mayor Vincent Gray commented at the report’s release that while "efforts to scale up the District's prevention and treatment services have, for the most part, proven extremely successful," that "serious challenges remain." Particularly, when considering that nearly 75 percent of the city’s residents who have HIV or AIDS are at least 40 years old – and communities east of the river have been identified as having the highest concentrations of residents infected with HIV or AIDS.
At-Large Councilman Michael Brown said although plenty of funding has been earmarked to combat the epidemic, "it is going more to the treatment side than the preventative side."
Said Brown: "I think that more importantly, we need to put more of those dollars on the front end, relative to teaching young folks how to protect themselves – and [just] putting our society in a better place, educationally."
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