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The House is gone for recess. So, as the saying goes: Senate, you don’t have to go home but ... you have to get the heck outta DC. On Friday, the President of the United States appeared to celebrate and encourage police brutality. And yet again, leaders had to come out and denounce the president's remarks. Today, former DHS Chief John Kelly takes over as WH Chief of Staff on the same day Donald Trump will host a cabinet meeting. It will be awkward for AG Jeff Sessions for sure. As for Kelly, will he sit by himself at the cafeteria lunch table or will he have a crew in the West Wing? We have a feeling this four-star general is not going to be run by a potty mouth Mooch. But time will tell. His first challenge: Russia. Moscow just expelled hundreds of diplomats in response to U.S. sanctions. And there’s still the smoky remains of the healthcare battle that 45 refuses to concede. Trump says the ACA is imploding. Axios reports that insurers say cutting off the cost-sharing reduction payments to insurers and/or weaken the individual mandate could destabilize the fragile markets. “Between Trump's tweets and Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price's remarks on the Sunday talk shows, the Trump administration has suggested it might do both.” Also, we have our first 2020 candidate! On Friday, Congressman John Delaney (D-MD) became the first Democrat to formally declare his candidacy for the next presidential election. And for the OG Beltway resident, past or present, legendary graffiti artist Cool DJ Dan died of complications from diabetes. Known for his simple, go-go styled tag Cool “Disco” Dan all over DC in the late ’80s and early ’90s, many knew his work. But very few knew his face. He was 47. We’re kicking off the week with this:
- Eric Holder raises $10 million drawing battle lines for 2018.
- The CHC introduces new legislation to protect DREAMers.
- Ann Curry is returning to TV.
- Michelle Obama joins Spotify at DC high school.
- Black Enterprise honors Congressman John Lewis (D-GA), Lonnie Bunch, John Rogers, and more.
- A new candidate declares in the race to fill the seat of CHC Chair Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM).
- CBC Chair Cedric Richmond (D-LA) calls out NFL over Colin Kaepernick.
- Motorola names a new GR Director.
- Compton’s “Gangster Mayor” found guilty on Friday.
- Reuters names new Executive Editor.
- Cuban American politicos weigh in on Venezuela.
- U.S. Treasurer Jovita Carranza announces the end of another Obama policy.
- Texas hosts first Latino Comic Con. Check it out in blogs!
- Michelle Obama wishes first Grandma a happy birthday!
- CBC and Progressive Caucus move to offer solutions on ACA.
- Want to tailgate with the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association? RSVP below in FOMO.
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Angela Rye, Jeff Johnson, and Janaye Ingram at the National Urban League conference in St. Louis on Thursday. | |  |
CA congressional candidate Ammar Campa-Najjar meeting voters. | |
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Eric Holder’s Redistricting Group Raised $10 Million
Politico reports that Eric Holder's National Democratic Redistricting Committee, the group backed by former President Barack Obama to make Democrats competitive in redistricting fights, will finish July reporting $10.8 million in the bank. There was a total of 10,000 people who gave overall, with a rush of small donors after the election when the group was officially formed. Most of the money comes from high dollar donors like Chicago’s Fred Eychaner and Florida’s Donald Sussman who gave $500,000 each, Jon Stryker who gave $200,000, Director J.J. Abrams and his wife, actress Katie McGrath, who also gave $125,000 each. Much of the fundraising was through five briefings for donors conducted by Holder, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe in NYC, San Francisco, LA, Boston, and Washington. However, the event headlined by Obama in DC earlier this month gave the efforts a significant boost. Get the full story here from Politico.
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Obama Speaks on the ACA
In a victory lap on Friday, former President Barack Obama credited supporters of the Affordable Care Act for saving his signature legislation from Republican-led efforts to dismantle it, while acknowledging that the law can be improved. "President Obama has always said we should build on this law, just as members of both parties worked together to improve Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid over the years," Obama spokesman Kevin Lewis said. "President Obama still believes that it is possible for Congress to demonstrate the necessary bipartisanship and political courage to keep delivering on the promise of quality, affordable health insurance for every American." Lewis went on to say, “The Affordable Care Act has always been about something bigger than politics. It's about the character of our country ... It's about the dreams protected, and the untold misery and ruin prevented." More here.
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Caucuses Led By Richmond and Grijalva Ready to Offer ACA Solutions
Now that GOP efforts to repeal the ACA have failed, Dems are ready to offer solutions designed to address the challenges with former President Barack Obama’s signature legislation. CBC Chair Cedric Richmond (D-LA) says the caucus is poised to introduce a series of ACA reforms as early as this week. Leaders of the Congressional Progressive Caucus met last week to lay the groundwork for their own package of ACA fixes. They’re reaching out to the New Democrat Coalition in search of common ground, said CPC Chair Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ). Legislators say proposals were not offered earlier because the party did not want to highlight the issues with Obamacare, fearing that would give credence to GOP efforts to repeal the legislation despite having no better option. More here from The Hill.
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|  | Democratic strategist Don Calloway in the greenroom at Fox News with Kristin Beck, a retired transgender Navy SEAL. | |  |
WI congressional candidate Randy Bryce, aka The Iron Stache, and CA congressional candidate David Min at Politicon in Pasadena on Saturday. | |
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Photo Cred: Chuck Kennedy for The Root |
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Michelle Obama Joins Spotify at DC High School
Former First Lady Michelle Obama attended the Beating The Odds Summit at DC’s Dunbar High School last Thursday. FLOTUS44 was joined by executives from Spotify, including Troy Carter, VP of Creator Services, and Danielle Lee, VP of Partner Solutions. The Root reports that they shared their experiences of overcoming obstacles and the lessons they have learned on their personal and professional journeys with 35 high school students at a day-long event meant to inspire the college-bound students to consider majors or careers in the tech industry. Reach Higher at Civic Nation also participated in the event. The day included college transition workshops, a panel where Spotify execs discussed the important role music plays in culture and communities, as well as a performance by R&B artist Kevin Ross. More here from The Root.
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Calls to Save DREAMers Intensify
On Friday, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and Congressional Democrats, led by Congressman Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL), introduced the American Hope Act, a new piece of legislation aimed at protecting DACA recipients in light of the administration’s wavering support for the program and pending legal challenges to it from Texas and nine other states. The new bill would give immigrants who arrived in the U.S. before their 18th birthday and before December 31, 2016, an opportunity to apply for legal status if they meet certain conditions. The latest legislation follows bipartisan moves by Congresswomen Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Lucille Roybal Allard (D-CA) who presented a new version of the Dream Act last Wednesday similar to a bill recently introduced by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Dick Durbin (D-IL). Furthermore, legislation brought forth by Congressman Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) in March, the Recognizing America's Children (RAC) Act, is gaining support among centrist Republicans. Congress is recognizing that it must take action on DREAMers before the administration potentially ends a program affecting almost 800,000. The Hill takes a look at all the efforts here.
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Lee’s Army of One
Politico has an in-depth look at Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s (D-CA) 16-year-old fight to end the authorization for use of military force (AUMF) powers given to presidents in the aftermath of 9/11. Lee was the only member to vote against the AUMF in 2001, and she has never wavered in her crusade against the endless war powers, consistently offering legislation to repeal them. This year, Lee found overwhelming bipartisan support from her colleagues who voted to include the amendment in an appropriations bill. However, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) stripped the amendment from the bill, and Lee finds herself exhausting all legislative procedures to re-add the amendment. The piece details her fight, talks to her GOP allies, and her options moving forward. Read it here.
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|  | Gregory Cendana speaking on Saturday at an AFSCME Local 3299 event, the largest labor union representing University of California employees. | |  |
Uber's Bernard Coleman and wife Edda with Van Jones and friends on Saturday at the We Rise Tour at The Masonic in San Francisco. | |
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CBC Expresses Concern Over HUD Budget Cuts in Letter to Ben Carson
On Friday, the Congressional Black Caucus sent a letter to HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson to express concern about the potential impact that the fiscal year 2018 budget request for HUD would have on low-income Americans living in public housing nationwide. “There are over one million households across the nation living in public housing, including low income seniors, children, people with disabilities and working families. Approximately 45% of these households, or 876,000 identify as Black or African American ... The administration's FY18 HUD budget proposal to cut 68%, an astounding $1.8 billion, causes deep concern especially for the already underfunded public housing capital and operating funds,” the members wrote. Trump’s proposed 2018 budget would cut HUD spending by $6 billion. “We will use whatever resources we have very efficiently,” Carson said in an interview in June.“The other thing to keep in mind is that the traditional view of HUD and government is we ride in on a white horse with a bucket of money ... and go off to the next thing,” he continued. “That particular model has led us to the point where we have three to four times as many people in need of affordable housing and it’s getting worse.” Carson, who had no experience in government before becoming HUD secretary, is grappling with decisions about which programs to keep, which to shutter, and how to improve the ones that remain. Read the CBC letter here courtesy of Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-NY).
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Ro Khanna Comes From a Line of Political Activists
The grandfather of Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA), Amarnath Vidyalankar, spent his entire life in the Indian independence movement and then became a part of India’s very first Parliament. Khanna says that as a young person, his grandfather decided to work as an aide for someone who was a freedom fighter. Later on, he spent years in jail in the 1940s as part of India’s independence movement with Mahatma Gandhi. “It showed to me the value of someone who dedicated their life to a political cause, it showed that politics could shape human rights and, in fact, the world. He was a real figure in our family. A lot of people would tell stories about him, stories about his life and I’m sure that had a sense of inspiring my public service,” Khanna says in an interview with Roll Call. He talks this, his first campaign, and his congressional crew. Get the full story here.
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House Democrats and the CHC introducing a bill on Friday to protect DACA beneficiaries and DREAMers from deportation. | |  |
Native American activist Samantha Eldrige with DC friends in Utah. | |
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Chávez Enters New Mexico Congressional Race
Another person has thrown their hat into the ring for an Albuquerque-area congressional seat. Late last week, Annie Chávez, a government relations official for Sandia National Laboratories, announced she’s entering the race. The University of Mexico Law School graduate is the eighth Democrat hoping to assume the seat currently held by CHC chair and New Mexico gubernatorial candidate Michelle Luján Grisham (D-NM). Chávez is a former aide to now-retired Senator Jeff Bingaman. The other Democrats seeking the party’s nomination are former state Democratic Party Chairwoman Debra Haaland, who if elected would be the first Native American female to serve in Congress; City Councilor John Abrams; former U.S. Attorney for New Mexico Damon Martínez; City Councilor Pat Davis; former University of New Mexico Law School Associate Dean Antoinette Sedillo López; Albuquerque physicist Dennis Dinge; and Albuquerque attorney Damian Lara. On the Republican side, two candidates have entered the race -- former state Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones and immigration lawyer Michael Hendricks. More here.
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Lewis Backs Would-Be First Female African American Governor
Last week, Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) threw his support behind Georgia gubernatorial candidate state Rep. Stacey Abrams. The congressman called Abrams, who until recently led Georgia House Democrats, "the only leader" bidding to replace Republican Gov. Nathan Deal with "the experience and an ambitious vision to uplift all families." If elected, Abrams would become the nation's first female African American governor. "Georgia must seize the opportunity to be a model for our nation by electing this transformative leader, who strives to empower the people she will serve," Lewis said in a statement. There are currently four Republicans and two Democrats in the 2018 race to replace Gov. Deal, who is limited to two terms. More here from AP.
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An Effort to Elect First Texas Latina to Congress
Did you know there has never been a Latina to represent Texas in Congress? It’s true, and there’s an effort underway to change that. Texas Congressmen Joaquín Castro and Beto O’Rourke, along with actress Eva Longoria, are among those taking part in an effort urging El Paso County Judge Verónica Escobar to run for Congress. The Latino Victory Fund, co-founded by Longoria and businessman Henry R. Muñoz III, began a social media campaign on Sunday, "Run, Veronica, Run" to ramp up support for Escobar. The effort is being conducted independently of Escobar, who hasn’t made a decision to pursue the seat being vacated by O'Rourke, who is challenging incumbent Republican Senator Ted Cruz. As for Escobar, she says, “I am incredibly humbled by this support, and so honored by the encouragement that they're giving me, as well as the encouragement I've heard from so many El Pasoans. I will be making a final decision soon.” More here.
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CA AG Xavier Becerra appearing on Univisión's Al Punto Sunday morning discussing DACA. | |  |
Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) on Saturday at the UTLA Leadership Conference reception. | |
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Motorola Names Government Relations Director
Motorola Solutions has named Rachelle Johnson Director of Government Affairs Budget and Appropriations. In her new role, she will be managing the federal budget and appropriations portfolio for the company's public safety business unit, and that includes Defense, Homeland, and Justice appropriations. Most recently, she was Senior Vice President at the Podesta Group. She also previously served as the Director of Public Policy and Global Affairs for Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, after having worked as a staffer on the Senate Committee on Appropriations/State Foreign Operations Subcommittee. Before this job, the Georgetown graduate was on the Hill, detailed to the Government of Japan. Based in Tokyo, she became conversant in Japanese. Johnson began her career in the office of Senator Thad Cochran (D-MS). Learn more about her multifaceted and dynamic background here.
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Howard University Extends President’s Contract
The Howard University Board of Trustees announced on Friday the extension of President Wayne Frederick’s contract until June 30, 2024 -- a five-year extension of his original agreement. “President Frederick has been a transformational leader for Howard University and the entire Board of Trustees is excited to continue to work together in service to our community in the years ahead,” Board Chair Stacey Mobley said. “Because of his visionary leadership, Howard has made great strides in advancing the academic progress of students, enhancing faculty experience, and stabilizing the university’s financial position.” After serving the University as interim president for more than a year, Dr. Frederick was inaugurated as the 17th president of Howard on March 6, 2015 after an exhaustive national search. More here.
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Former U.S. Trade Ambassador Ron Kirk with IR+Media's Jarvis Stewart in Toronto. | |  |
Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) with press secretary Tyrone Gayle last week in the Senate. | |
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Ann Curry Hosts New PBS Show
Variety reports that Ann Curry will host a new PBS series next year called We’ll Meet Again. The six-part program will feature reunions between people who have been affected by real-life events, such as a Japanese American woman who sought to find a classmate who helped her when she was a girl at the outbreak of World War II. After Pearl Harbor, the Japanese American girl was bullied in school, but the classmate reached out to become friends with her. The girl and her family were interned during the war. In an interview, Curry said she quickly came on the series after hearing its concept. “I had a sense of the potential depth of the stories,” she said. “What I wasn’t prepared for is how much things that happened so long ago could rise to the surface and be so powerful," adding, “This is history not from the point of view of people in charge. It is the point of view of people who have no control over these events and have to rise up to survive.” More here.
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Black Enterprise Honors John Lewis, Lonnie Bunch, John Rogers, and More
Black Enterprise is hosting its inaugural Black Men XCEL Summit celebrating many contributions and achievements of Black men. During the summit, the awards dinner will recognize iconic Black men in every field of endeavor -- from corporate America, to the entertainment industry, science and technology, athletics and sports, the education sector, and beyond. This year’s honorees include Congressman John Lewis (D-GA), NMAAHC Founding Director Lonnie Bunch, Ariel Investments Founder and CEO John Rogers, and entertainer Robert Townsend. Additionally, the first ever BE Modern Man of the Year Award will be presented to Shawn Dove, CEO of the Campaign for Black Male Achievement. "We are thrilled to have this opportunity to pay well-deserved honor to men who are gifts to the world," said BE President and CEO Earl "Butch" Graves Jr. "Their examples are proper tribute and powerful motivation to the XCEL Award honorees to come." The summit will take place Wednesday, August 30th through Sunday, September 3rd, at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. More info here.
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Congressman Will Hurd (R-TX) on Thursday working in his DC office. | |  |
The Beat DC's Jamal Simmons appearing on Ari Melber's new MSNBC show The Beat on Thursday. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. #WeAreFlattered | |
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Reuters Names New Executive Editor
Reuters has named Jean Yoon its first Executive Editor, Editorial Strategy, placing nearly 800 journalists under her purview. In this newly created role, Yoon will take on responsibility for global editorial strategy and continue to refine editorial vision; collaborate with editorial and functional teams to ensure current strategic initiatives are aligned and executed (multimedia, automation, speed, companies coverage, talent, learning, diversity, etc.); serve as a central point of contact for balancing short- and long-term priorities; and continue to lead global strategic centers in Bangalore, India and Gdynia, Poland. Yoon will be based in New York and is slated to assume her new role in October. She is well positioned for her new role, given the breadth and depth of her experience at Reuters, which dates back to 1995 and includes stints as general manager, Southeast Asia & Pacific, and, prior to her editorial roles, as Chief Financial Correspondent in Seoul, and UK technology and media correspondent in London. More here.
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WaPo Explores Identity and Culture Through Gender, Race, and Class
On Thursday, WaPo introduced “About US,” a collection of news and commentary focused on the changing demographics in the United States. Published in the PostNation blog and in newsletter form later this year, the content will provide conversational insights and timely information about identity, including matters of gender, race and class. “What it means to be an American is rapidly expanding and evolving. The shift is impossible to ignore,” said Simone Sebastian (pictured), Deputy Editor for the America Desk. Published each Thursday, About US will feature reported stories, first-person essays and engaging visuals produced by a diverse group of WaPo staff and guest contributors. In the most recent edition, WaPo reporter Wesley Lowery contemplates becoming a gun owner as a Black man, a transgender veteran explains how military service led him to discover his identity, and About US lead writer Vanessa Williams explores how identity politics define the country's future and its past. More here.
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David Johns on Saturday at the grave site of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO. | |  |
Gayle King with Uber's Bozoma Saint John after their interview in NYC on Friday. | |
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CBC Chair Stands with Colin Kaepernick
CBC Chair Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-LA) called out NFL owners on behalf of free agent QB Colin Kaepernick. The congressman spoke with TMZ Sports saying, "I think it's unfair. I think that he has a lot of talent. He was the starting QB in the Super Bowl and he's a great athlete. And the fact that he spoke up means he's a great person and he spoke his conscience...I don't think we should penalize people in this country for doing that." He continued, "As I look around the NFL at some backup quarterbacks, it's clear that his talent is superior to a lot of people who are on teams already. I would hope that people would give him a chance and sign him and see what he has to offer. We should not penalize somebody for exercising their 1st amendment right." Last season Kaepernick was at the center of controversy when he refused to stand for the national anthem, saying he was protesting wrongdoings against African Americans and other minorities. See Congressman Richmond's comments here.
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Cuban American Politicos and Venezuela
From Senator Bob Menéndez (D-NJ) to Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Cuban American politicians have been vocal about the need for U.S. action on Venezuela, amid that country's civil unrest and its controversial election yesterday to elect a new assembly. The opposition party has called the new elections a power grab by President Nicolás Maduro, and bipartisan members of Congress are pushing for sanctions on Venezuela. The Miami Herald reports that Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), Florida GOP Congressmen Carlos Curbelo, Mario Díaz-Balart, along with Ros-Lehtinen, back banning Venezuelan oil imports, a drastic measure considering that Venezuela is the No. 3 oil supplier to the U.S. It's a bipartisan issue: also in favor is Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), with thousands of Venezuelans in her district, as well as Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY), who worked closely with the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. “We need to let the Venezuelan people know that they are not alone in this fight, that we stand together with them, that we will not rest until Venezuela is free from oppression and is once again a nation of democracy and the rule of law,” Ros-Lehtinen said. The issue stands to have major repercussions on the U.S. Learn more here.
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Voto Latino's María Teresa Kumar knocking on the door of House Speaker Paul Ryan (D-MN) on Friday. | |  |
Omarosa landing last week in Ohio after traveling back to her hometown with Donald Trump last week. | |
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Jovita Carranza Announces End of Another Obama Policy
U.S. Treasurer Jovita Carranza has announced the end of another Obama policy -- this time, targeting a program that created savings accounts to help more people put away money for retirement. The program, known as myRA, was intended for people who did not have access to workplace savings plans. The 30,000 people enrolled in myRA received an email on Friday alerting them of the program’s end. On July 14th, a group of Democrats in Congress -- including Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA) -- wrote a letter to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin asking that Treasury support the myRA program. “Given that this administration has worked to reduce access to retirement plans for millions of Americans,” the letter said, “it is more critical than ever for the Treasury to strengthen one of their remaining options for retirement savings.” Treasury said the program was too expensive. More here.
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Study Finds Black and Latinx Millennials Financially Fragile
A new report finds that millennials are "financially fragile," with Latinx and Black populations faring worse than their white counterparts. Young Invincibles, an advocacy group committed to expanding economic opportunities for millennials (ages 18 to 34), published a brief on Friday that found disparities in financial health among white, Black, and Latinx young adults. The brief, based on a poll of millennials and analysis of national data, reviewed the use of "traditional financial tools," like checking and saving accounts, and alternative financial services (AFS), which include check cashing and payday lending. Researchers found 12% of Latinx and 17% of Black Millennials are "unbanked," or do not own checking and savings accounts, versus 7% of white millennials. The brief, authored by Kelly M. Hernández, attributes redlining and disinvestment by the financial industry as factors responsible for this disparity. It also cites ownership costs, bank account screening practices, and a lack of trust as other factors. Learn more here.
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NUL's Marc Morial backstage on Friday in St. Louis with actor Jamie Foxx and Joe Torry. | |  |
ABC contributor Tara Setmayer on Friday preparing to guest co-host The View. | |
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Compton’s “Gangster Mayor” Omar Bradley Found Guilty
Former Compton Mayor Omar Bradley was known for touting his close relationship with the late rapper Eazy-E of N.W.A and also once attacked rap music’s love affair with Compton, claiming it was part of an effort by Jewish record executives to make money off Blacks. He later apologized for those comments. As the popularity of gangster rap exploded in the 1980s and Compton captured the public imagination, Bradley came to be known as the “gangster mayor.” It’s a moniker he bristles at and denies calling himself. On Friday, he was found guilty of two counts of misappropriating public funds, the latest chapter in a high-profile corruption case that has spanned more than a decade. The LA Times reports that this is the second time a jury has found Bradley guilty of using taxpayer money for personal purposes. In 2004 the former mayor had been sentenced to three years, some of which he served in prison and a halfway house. This time around, LA County prosecutors again argued that Bradley had understood the rules and that his spending of public funds had no “no public benefit.” The prosecution alleged that between 1999 and 2001, Bradley used a city-issued credit card for personal items and "double dipped" by taking cash advances for city business expenses and then charging the items to his city credit card. He denied the charges. The former schoolteacher and football coach is a legendary and highly controversial figure in Compton -- a city where he’s lived nearly his entire adult life. The LA Times has the full story here.
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Bears Ears Hanging in the Balance
Bears Ears National Monument, which former President Barack Obama designated as a monument in December, is the only monument designated at the request of a coalition of Native American tribes: Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, and Ute. Donald Trump has been considering a reversal of that decision. Dogged by protesters who support monument status as a way to protect Bears Ears and its archaeological sites, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke toured the 1.35 million-acre site in the spring, calling it “drop-dead gorgeous land.” Within weeks, he recommended that the monument be dramatically scaled down. He said a final decision wouldn’t be made until the other monuments had been reviewed. WaPo reporter Darryl Fears takes a look at this land he describes as “eerie” and “alive.” Read his report here.
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Restauranteur Alexander Smalls on Saturday with Harlem Children’s Zone's Geoffrey Canada. | |  |
Deray McKesson, NAACP's Rosalyn Brock, and Brittany Packnett at the NAACP conference last week. | |
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London Mayor Bewildered by American President’s Twitter Fingers
London Mayor Sadiq Khan says he is baffled by Donald Trump’s apparent fascination with him. In an interview with The Guardian, Khan says, “I’m a reluctant participant in this dialogue with Donald Trump, because I’m trying to be a full-time mayor doing my job, and I’m not sure what he and his son have against me, and why they are tweeting about me. We’re not schoolchildren. He’s the president of the United States, so I’m unclear what his beef is with me.” The reporter asks if Trump’s beef with Khan could be because he is Muslim? “Well, if that’s the case, it says more about him than me. Look, it’s perfectly possible to be an American or a Brit and a Muslim. They are not mutually exclusive, and for anybody to think that – I can’t understand it, not for people who hold important power.” The reporter noted that while responding to this Khan sounded genuinely bewildered. More here.
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| BLAH BLAH BLOGS I Walked Out of Detroit Because WTF, Man? (The Root)
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| FOMO Friday, August 4th, 5:30P: Black 44 sponsors a happy hour to celebrate former President Barack Obama's birthday. Invite only.
Saturday, August 5th, 3P: The Congressional Hispanic Staff Association hosts a tailgate before the DC United v. Toronto FC game. For more info, email James Hauser at: iph86@georgetown.edu
Wednesday, August 9th - 13th: The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) holds its annual convention and career fair in New Orleans. Click here for more information and to register. Thursday, August 10th - 13th: The Congressional Black Caucus Political Education & Leadership Institute sponsors the 2017 Mississippi Policy Conference in Tunica, MS. Click here for more information and to register. Monday, August 14th, 4P: The Center for American Progress sponsors a panel discussion, "The Power of Black Media and Journalists During the Trump Administration." Click here to RSVP. Wednesday, August 16th - 17th: The annual U.S.-Mexico Border Summit. El Paso, TX & Cuidad Juárez, Chihuahua. Featured guests include keynote speaker Ana Navarro, Republican strategist and CNN analyst. Click here for more information and to register.
Wednesday, August 16th - 20th: The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance holds its 14th biennial convention in Anaheim, CA. Click here for more information.
Friday, August 18th: The deadline to apply for the Poynter Institute and the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) 2017 Leadership Academy for Diversity in Digital Media, to be held Dec. 3rd - 8th in St. Petersburg, FL. The tuition-free program trains journalists of color to work in digital media. Click here for more information and to apply.
Friday, August 18th - 20th: A weekend on Martha's Vineyard with Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and special guests Congressmen James Clyburn (D-SC), Cedric Richmond (D-LA), and Richard Neal (D-MA), and Congresswomen Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE). For more information and to RSVP, contact Mariko Bennett: mariko@cocobproductions.com or call 301.741.3443. Monday, August 28th, 9A: The Collective hosts the 2017 Black Power Summit to discuss possibilities, challenges, and plans to capitalize on historic political opportunities and also economic and civil rights challenges the Black community will likely face in the 2018 and 2020 political cycles. For more information, contact Quentin James at: quentin@collectivepac.org Wednesday, September 6th - 9th: The National Hispanic Bar Association hold its 42nd annual convention in Kansas City, MO. Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta is a featured keynote speaker. Click here for more information.
Thursday, September 7th - 9th: The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), the Native American Journalists Association, and the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) sponsor the Excellence in Journalism 2017 conference in Anaheim, CA. Click here for more details and to register.
Sunday, September 10th: Former First Lady Michelle Obama speaks at the Beth El Synagogue in St. Louis Park. MN about her years in the White House. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Monday, September 11th - 13th: The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute annual Hispanic Heritage Month conference and awards gala. Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center,1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Click here for more information.
Friday, September 15th, 9A: Dialogue on Diversity holds its 2017 Entrepreneurship and Information Technology Conference. AT&T Forum, 601 New Jersey Avenue, N.W. Click here for more information and to register.
Wednesday, November 29th, 8P: Join Congressman André Carson (D-IN) for JAY-Z's 4:44 Tour. The Verizon Center, 601 F Street, N.W. For more information or to RSVP, contact Courtney Hodges or Randy Broz at: 202.403.0606 or email: Courtney@ABConsultingDC.com
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