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BURN, BABY, BURN… Power can change people to monarchs, and then the innocent usually get burned. Dracarys. FIRE WORKS… Donald Trump has taken charge of the nation’s premier Fourth of July celebration, changing the location and making tentative plans to address the nation from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. BATTLE FOR GLOBAL DOMINANCE… China has retaliated against the U.S. Tariffs on $60B of U.S. goods will begin in June. Beijing is also reportedly considering stopping buying U.S. agricultural products -- which would be a serious blow to American farmers. Wall Street is now heading for sharper falls. FACEOFF… Trump may meet China President Xi Jinping next month at the Group of 20 summit meeting in Japan. POMPEO & PUTIN… Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is scheduled to head to Russia this week to meet with President Vladimir Putin about disinformation efforts before European elections this month. But first, Brussels. CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS… There is one. Democrats continue to battle the White House over executive authority post-Robert Mueller’s investigation. The president is blocking more than 20 Democratic-led probes and has failed to respond to 79 requests for documents or other information. IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS? There are none. But more Democrats are warming to the idea -- if it's not just about the tall task of removing Trump from office. I CAN’T BREATH… A trial for the officer who killed Eric Garner in NYC in 2014 begins today. MEANWHILE IN ACADEMIA… Harvard Professor Ronald Sullivan Jr., who was the first African American faculty dean in the school’s history, has been let go after students protested his representing Harvey Weinstein. IS IT WORTH IT? LET ME WORK IT… Berklee College of Music awarded Missy Elliott with an honorary doctorate in music over the weekend, making her the first woman hip-hop artist to receive this honor. ARE YOU A ‘76er? Because it’s time to get Beat! (so sorry, Joel Embiid! Our hearts broke for you. On the bright side, it’s not like you live in King’s Landing. You actually have a next season). We’re kicking off your Monday with this... - Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) attempts to thwart home healthcare funds invasion.
- Former DNC Finance Chair shifts focus to 2020 Latinx turnout.
- SiriusXM responds to Black lawmakers’ concerns on diversity.
- Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) sound the alarm on sunscreen.
- Indian Country Today unveils Board of Directors.
- Airbnb names a new Head of Global Diversity and Belonging. Read to the bottom!
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Hearst Fashion Director Aya Kanai with her daughter, Rai, in NYC over the weekend. | |  |
Former First Lady Michelle Obama with her mother and daughters celebrating Mother’s Day. | |
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Bob Menéndez and Cory Booker Want to Make it Easier for States to Create Their Own Health Exchanges
The Trump administration earlier this month formally declared its opposition to the entire Affordable Care Act, arguing in court that the legislation was unconstitutional and should be struck down. In an effort to defend Obamacare and fix the problems brought on by the continued attacks, NJ Democratic Senators Bob Menéndez and Cory Booker teamed up with Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) to introduce the State Allowance for a Variety of Exchanges Act. The legislation would create a $200 million competitive federal grant fund to support states establishing their own state-based health exchanges. “The Trump Administration will continue doing everything they can to destroy the Affordable Care Act, and along with it, the health care coverage millions of families rely on,” said Menéndez. “While we keep fighting them back, this bill empowers states like ours to protect the strides we’ve made, expand health insurance coverage to more New Jerseyans, increase options, and bring down the costs of care overall.” States operating on the federal exchange have been seen the Trump administration undermine their enrollment efforts, including cutting 90% funds for advertising and reducing the open enrollment period from three months to six weeks. Meanwhile, a recent report showed that states running their own exchanges outperformed states on the federal exchange in attracting consumers to sign up for health plans in 2018. Booker added that states have no choice but to establish their own state-based health exchanges to reduce uncertainty and costs. “This bill will not only help New Jersey as it establishes a state-based health exchange, but it will also help any other state looking to move away from the Trump-run federal marketplace and put the health care needs of its residents first,” the 2020 presidential candidate said. Congressmen Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) introduced the House version of the bill in February. More here.
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Mazie Hirono and Tulsi Gabbard Sound the Alarm on Sunscreen
Before you douse yourself in sunscreen, the chemicals may not only be damaging to you but the environment as well. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) last week introduced the Oxybenzone and Octinoxate Impact Study Act, which would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to study the issue. The measure, which Hirono introduced with Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), would direct the EPA to review the impacts of oxybenzone and octinoxate -- two of the chemicals found in sunscreen -- and require the findings be provided to Congress and the public within 18 months. Studies link these ingredients to damage to coral reefs including bleaching, disease, and damage to DNA, as well as decreased fertility in fish, impaired algae growth, defects in mussel and sea urchin young, and accumulation in the tissues of dolphins. Hirono says by conducting a comprehensive study on these two chemicals, the EPA will be able to better determine the impact these chemicals have on both human health and marine life, and what steps can be taken to prevent further damage to aquatic environments. “We cannot afford to continue losing our coral reefs, which are suffering from a number of threats such as warmer temperatures, more acidic waters, and disease,” Hirono said. Meanwhile, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) joined Hirono in introducing a lower chamber companion bill and also introduced the Reef Safe Act, which would require the Food and Drug Administration to develop standards for a ‘‘Reef Safe’’ designation for nonprescription sunscreens. “While proper skin protection is extremely important, we must make sure the ingredients used are safe for people and not jeopardizing the coral reef vital to local marine habitats and that help reduce coastal flood risk,” said Gabbard, a 2020 presidential candidate. About 14,000 tons of sunscreen enter the world's reefs every year, according to a 2015 paper published in the journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. Last year, Hawai’i became the first state to enact legislation designed to protect coral reefs and marine ecosystems by banning sunscreens containing oxybenzone or octinoxate. More here.
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Terri Sewell Attempts to Thwart Home Healthcare Invasion
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has proposed budget cuts, which would kick in on January 1st, 2020, that could limit access to home health services and result in an estimated loss of $950 million for home health providers that care for more than 3.5 million Medicare beneficiaries across the country. Home healthcare is often a cheaper alternative to hospital stays, but the Trump administration has other plans for the money. Interesting way to kick off a campaign year. Healthcare was one of the top issues with voters in the 2018 midterms and swing states like Pennsylvania, Florida, and Arizona have are in the top 10 states for largest senior populations. Even so, the White House, the GOP-run Senate, and even some state legislatures are pushing a plan of grand theft healthcare. But not if Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) can help it. She introduced the Home Health Payment Innovation Act, a bill designed to protect home healthcare services under Medicaid regardless of eventual cuts. “I know firsthand the benefits of home health care. When my dad was left wheelchair-bound after a series of strokes, my mom needed help caring for him. He was lucky enough to receive care from highly-skilled and caring nurses and other health care professionals right where he wanted to be – at home,” said Sewell. “Home health providers were not only a lifeline for my dad, their services are critical for seniors, disabled individuals and those with limited mobility in my district.” She said her legislation would help preserve access to existing home health services under the Medicare program, while also providing a pathway to expanding the use of home health care, without increasing Medicare program spending. More here.
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Congresswoman Sharice Davids (D-KS) surrounded by attendees of Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s (D-CA) Mother’s Day in California over the weekend. | |  |
Filmmaker Spike Lee wearing fashionable history: 1619 was the year Africans were kidnapped from the continent and brought to Jamestown, VA. | |
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Elijah Cummings and Raja Krishnamoorthi Aim to Hold Credit Reporting Agencies Accountable Over Data Breaches
Nearly two years have passed since Equifax first revealed that a massive data breach had exposed the personal information of 148 million U.S. consumers to hackers, but the fallout from the breach is nowhere near over. Congressmen Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) teamed up with Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Mark Warner (D-VA) to reintroduce the Data Breach Prevention and Compensation Act to hold large credit reporting agencies (CRAs) accountable for data breaches involving consumer data. The bill would give the Federal Trade Commission more direct supervisory authority over data security at CRAs, impose mandatory penalties on CRAs for data breaches to incentivize adequate protection of consumer data, and provide robust compensation to consumers for stolen data. "The Equifax data breach was one of the largest and most consequential in United States history," stated Cummings, Chair of the House Oversight Committee. "It was a wake-up call that credit reporting agencies are not adequately protecting the American public's personal data.” Cummings said that these companies “must be held accountable when they fail to protect the personal data entrusted to them by American consumers." Krishnamoorthi added, "Working for the people means protecting the personal data of consumers and holding companies accountable for data breaches that compromise consumer health and safety." He said the legislation could prevent the negligence and abuses which could lead to the next consumer data breach. More here.
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David Scott and Mark Takano Want Makerspaces for Students of Color and the Disadvantaged
Congressmen David Scott (D-GA) and Mark Takano (D-CA) introduced legislation they said would be a direct investment in the future of students of color, in rural communities, and at community colleges. The pair teamed up with Congressman Drew Ferguson (R-GA) to introduce the bipartisan Making Advances Kinetic Education, Research, and Skills Act, or the MAKERS Act. Makerspaces are community spaces that provide a variety of services, including access to tools, technology, and knowledge so that individuals can innovate, obtain workforce skills, and begin early-stage entrepreneurial business ventures. The MAKERS Act would incentivize further understanding and development of makerspaces at HBCUs, Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges, and community colleges in all communities, including rural. “All Americans, regardless of race or socioeconomic status, should have the opportunity to partake in the increasing demand for a STEM-capable workforce and makerspaces are where that demand is met,” Scott said. “The MAKERS Act bridges the gap between HBCUs and the increased demand for STEM capable employees by providing grants to develop and hone both hard and soft skills in students.” STEM-related employment opportunities have extremely low rates of underrepresented communities, including women, African Americans, and Latinx. Makerspaces address this disparity by creating community spaces for engagement in underrepresented communities in both rural and urban locations. The MAKERS Act would link students of MSIs to spaces where they can practice the skills needed to succeed in STEM-related positions. As a result, the MAKERS Act would help diversify the STEM workforce. "We must make investments in higher education that will provide opportunities for students of all backgrounds to succeed in the current job market,” said Takano, Co-Chair of the Makers Caucus. “I have seen firsthand the value of makerspaces in my district and the benefits of empowering students from diverse backgrounds to pursue a career in STEM. Our economy is changing rapidly and this legislation will help ensure that diverse young people are equipped with the proper skills to compete and succeed in today’s economy." More on the bill here.
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Lisa Blunt Rochester Moves to Protect Seniors from Scams
The digital world is playing an increasingly larger part of life, and it is placing the most vulnerable -- but especially senior citizens -- at risk of falling prey to scams. The Senate Special Committee on Aging estimates that seniors lose approximately $2.9 billion annually from financial exploitation. Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) aims to help protect seniors from predatory scams. She teamed up with Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI) to introduce the Stop Senior Scams Act, a bipartisan bill that would establish a federal advisory council to coordinate industry and government agencies in developing tools for retailers to help stop a payment before it is made, so seniors don’t fall victim to fraud or scams. “We must do more to protect older Americans from being victimized by scammers,” said Blunt Rochester. “Criminals take advantage of some of our most vulnerable Americans for their personal information and money with coercive tactics, like demanding payment for fake debts owed through wire transfer or gift card. I proudly introduced the Stop Senior Scams Act to empower the business community to help stop this fraud before it's too late.” Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) introduced companion legislation in the upper chamber earlier this year. More here.
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Hip-hop artist Common appearing on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert last week in NYC. | |  |
Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Roselló with his wife, Beatriz Rosselló, at a gala posthumously honoring artist Arnaldo Roche Rabell at the Museum of Contemporary Art on the island over the weekend. | |
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Former DNC Finance Chair Shifts Focus to 2020 Latinx Turnout
Henry Muñoz III has turned his focus to mobilizing Latinx voter turnout in 2020. During his six-year tenure as DNC Finance Chair, he raised more than $600 million for Democrats. Now, Muñoz is returning to the Latino Victory Project (LVP) -- which he founded with actress Eva Longoria Bastón in 2014 -- in an advisory capacity, according to The Hill. “It’s not going to be good enough this time around to wait until a few months before the election to reach out to the Latino community,” Muñoz said. “We have an incredible opportunity to grow our support, but we can’t treat it like just a fundraising or get-out-the-vote opportunity, we need programs that make us an integral part of the everyday lives of Latinos.” At LVP, he will undertake a new effort to raise money from Latinx donors and to mobilize Latinx voters. Muñoz will also lead the search for LVP’s new leader and organize its mobilization and registration strategy for Latinx voters. The former head of the organization, Cristóbal Alex, left in March to join former VP Joe Biden's presidential campaign. Muñoz is also not fully pulling back from the DNC. Chair Tom Pérez asked him to stay on in an emeritus role and as a DNC member-at-large, with "broad responsibilities for the design of Latino engagement and fundraising toward the 2020 election cycle." More here.
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Asian Pacific American Lawmakers Advise Presidential Candidates to Include AAPI in Outreach
ASPIRE, the political arm of Asian and Pacific American members of Congress (CAPAC), sent a letter to declared candidates for the Democratic nomination for president encouraging them to prioritize AAPI communities in their outreach, hiring, and campaign materials. “Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are the fastest growing population in our country, and we are already an important constituency in key electoral states such as California, Nevada, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia,” said Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY), Chair of ASPIRE. “It’s crucial that candidates seeking the Democratic nomination pay attention to Asian American and Pacific Islander voters across the country.” AAPI Data released its analysis of first quarter FEC filings in April, revealing how much each declared Democratic candidate had raised from Asian donors. The three candidates leading the field: NJ Senator Cory Booker ($394,923), HI Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard ($390,155), and CA Senator Kamala Harris ($322,047). More than 60% of Asian contributions went to these three candidates. The money is just as important as a diverse staff and both of these are a distant second to motivating actual voters. “We encourage you to keep Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in mind as your campaign makes hiring decisions and prioritizes outreach to different voting blocs as you campaign for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States,” the lawmakers wrote. “History has shown us that we are stronger when all voices are represented at the decision-making table.” Though the AAPI community was the key constituency group that helped flip several districts from Republican to Democrat in 2018, their vote is very much up for grabs. Almost 2 in 5 Asian American registered voters don't identify as a member of either party. The AAPI Victory Fund and Asian Americans Rising are teaming up to host a Democratic Presidential Forum on AAPI issues September 8th in Orange County, CA. Read ASPIRE’s full letter here.
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Bennie Thompson Moves to Protect U.S. Elections
Russia’s unprecedented assault on America’s 2016 elections exposed serious national security vulnerabilities to election infrastructure and democratic institutions. With the 2020 elections just 18 months away, Homeland Security Chair Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) introduced the Election Security Act last week, legislation that would help protect elections against malevolent attacks and foreign interference. The measure would require the establishment of cybersecurity standards for voting system vendors, and require states to use paper ballots during elections. The bill would also establish a National Commission to Protect U.S. Democratic Institutions, which would be tasked with countering efforts to undermine democratic institutions, and require the Director of National Intelligence to assess threats to election systems 180 days prior to an election. It would also require the president to produce a national strategy for protecting democratic institutions. “Russia successfully attacked our elections in 2016 and it is clear they will try to again next year,” Thompson said. “Despite repeated warnings from well-respected national security officials the White House has failed to lead a whole-of-government effort to keep our adversaries out of our elections, so Congress will step up.” Thompson said his top priority is to ensure that the full range of capabilities from across the federal government are brought to bear to support the states in the shared responsibility of election security. He added that protecting the integrity of U.S. elections should not be a partisan issue. Thompson was joined by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD) in the bill’s introduction. More here.
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The Fugees’ Pras Charged in Scheme to Raise Money for Obama
Pras Michel, one of the founding members of the Fugees, has caught a case. The Department of Justice has charged him with conspiring to violate federal campaign finance law by funneling millions of dollars worth of foreign money into the 2012 presidential election. Here’s what they’re saying: Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho is accused of transferring more than $21 million from overseas to Pras from June 2012 through that November. Prosecutors contend that Pras then gave $865,000 of that money to a network of straw donors, who used it to make campaign contributions to a candidate identified as Candidate A, who is clearly former President Barack Obama -- though the indictment never mentions POTUS44 by name; He is in no way accused of any wrongdoing in this case. Pras has also been charged with concealing material facts and lying in connection with the conspiracy. The purpose of all this, the DOJ says, was to buy them political influence by making Pras look important. Prosecutors say Pras used checks, direct deposits, and cash payments to send Low’s money to the network of roughly 20 straw donors that he recruited to make the donations. He then allegedly tried to cover his tracks by falsely claiming that the payments were remuneration for business deals or gifts. Prosecutors say he also used more than $1 million of Low’s money to make a large donation to an independent expenditure committee in his name and in the name of a company owned by Pras. He pleaded not guilty on Friday and was not detained. “Mr. Michel is extremely disappointed that so many years after the fact the government would bring charges related to 2012 campaign contributions,” said his lawyer, Barry J. Pollack. “Mr. Michel is innocent of these charges and looks forward to having the case heard by a jury.” Meanwhile, according to the DOJ, Low remains at large. More here.
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Comedians Wyatt Cenac and John Oliver at the International Refugee Assistance Project's inaugural fundraising gala in NYC last week. | |  |
Author Armando Lucas Correa with Univisión’s María Elena Salinas at a reading of Correa’s book, La hija olvidada, in Coral Gables, FL last week. | |
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Nydia Velázquez Cries Foul Over Ben Carson’s Plan to Evict Tens of Thousands of Kids from Federal Housing
HUD Secretary Ben Carson has proposed a rule that could evict 55,000 children from subsidized housing, all of whom are American citizens or legal residents. The rule is intended to prevent people who are in the country illegally from receiving federal housing aid, even though they do not directly receive assistance themselves. Under the new proposal, those families would lose all of their housing aid, such as vouchers and public housing. But the rule targets 25,000 families that now receive such aid because they are of "mixed" status, which means that at least one member of the family is undocumented while the others are citizens or legal residents. These families now pay higher rents to account for their mixed status. Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) led members of the NYC congressional delegation in a letter calling on HUD to withdraw the proposal. “Not only is this sickeningly cruel, but for an Administration that regularly proposes zeroing out funding for public housing in its annual budget, it is also strikingly hypocritical to suggest we don’t have adequate resources for all those who rely on housing aid,” Velázquez said. “Rather than trying to hurt our immigrant neighbors, HUD should work with Congress to strengthen these programs.” In the letter, lawmakers point out flaws in the administration's reasoning, arguing that the rule would not make any significant dent in the waiting lists for affordable housing that agency claims they are seeking to reduce. “This rule is little more than smoke and mirrors and attempts to illustrate that housing related issues would be remedied by this rule,” the lawmakers write. “The only thing this proposed rule would do is potentially make another 22,000 to 25,000 families homeless or tear families apart.” Read the full letter here.
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Carlos Curbelo Disinvited from House Hearing on Climate Change
Former GOP Congressman Carlos Curbelo has been disinvited from a House hearing on climate change, according to Politico. Though Curbelo had been invited by Democrats, some members of the party were not on board. This led to House and Ways Committee Chair Richard Neal (D-MA) officially rescinding the invitation to Curbelo. One of those disgruntled members was reportedly Curbelo’s successor, Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-FL), who narrowly beat Curbelo in 2018 and could face him again in 2020. Other members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus were also unhappy with the invite, including Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (D-CA), a member of Ways and Means. Politico reports that the House campaign arm, the DCCC, also objected to the Committee giving Curbelo such an opportunity when he has yet to rule out a rematch for his old seat. When Curbelo was in office, he was a Co-Chair of the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus and one of the few House Republicans to embrace the need for action on climate change. In 2018, he became the first GOP lawmaker in a decade to offer a significant climate change bill, pushing to tax carbon and direct much of the revenue into infrastructure investments. Though he hasn’t ruled out running for Congress again, he also hasn’t ruled out running for Mayor of Miami. More here.
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Commentator Alicia Menéndez with talent agent Josanne López and her daughter at the Power of Voice event in NYC last week. | |  |
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) at the #FamiliesBelongTogether installation on the Capitol Hill lawn last week. | |
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SiriusXM Responds to Black Caucus Inquiry on Diversity
Some members of the Congressional Black Caucus recently penned a letter to SiriusXM CEO James Meyer inquiring about the lack of African American representation at the billion-dollar company. Meyer responded to that letter last week. “I have seen first hand the immense economic and social value that people of color and underrepresented populations bring to an organization,” the CEO wrote. “As this is our first communication on this topic, I want to acknowledge that there are areas of opportunity in terms of increasing racial diversity on our board of directors and within our executive ranks. I also want to underscore that Sirius XM and all of its subsidiaries, including Pandora, have made, and will always make, diversity and inclusion a priority.” In February 2019, SiriusXM announced the finalization of its acquisition of Pandora Media for $3.5 billion, forming the world’s largest audio entertainment company. But the company’s 12-member Board does not include a single person of color. Yet 52% of African Americans and 45% of Hispanics drive consumption among streaming services, according to Nielsen -- a fact the lawmakers had pointed out in their letter to Meyer. “As of April 2019, 37.5% of the employees of Sirius XM and its subsidiaries, including Pandora, were people of color, with 9.9% of all employees identifying themselves as Black or African American,” his letter continued. Meyer said the company actively recruits minority candidates and announced they are looking to fill a Board seat, for which they “intend to make sure that there are as many diverse candidates under consideration as possible,” adding that they have adopted the Rooney rule in their search. The letter from the CBC -- signed by Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA), Chair of the Caucus, and Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA) and G.K. Butterfield (D-NC) -- was sent in April. We’ll keep you posted on any receipts SiriusXM produces that were promised in Meyer’s letter. Read the full letter here.
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Indian Country Today Unveils New Structure
Indian Country Today announced that it has formed Indian Country Today, LLC., a single member company, and announced a Board of Directors. “The structure of a company does two things. First: It sets us on course as an independent, non-profit media enterprise. And second it sets in place a governing structure to protect that independence,” said Mark Trahant, Editor of Indian Country Today, who will serve as CEO of the news company. Trahant also announced the three new members of the company’s Board, saying, “We wanted a mix of people who represent constituent groups that we serve. So one member of the board is appointed at-large; one as a representative of the ownership, NCAI; and a third member representing Native journalists (and appointed by the Native American Journalists Association).” The new Board includes Rebecca Crooks-Stratton, who is Secretary/Treasurer for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and the Program Director for the Native Governance Center. She also serves on the Board of the National Congress of American Indians. The Arizona University graduate, who recently completed her master’s degree in Tribal Administration and Governance at the University of Minnesota, led the creation of the Minnesota Tribal Nations Plaza at TCF Bank Stadium. Larry EchoHawk, a member of the Pawnee Nation, served as Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs in the Obama administration. EchoHawk was elected Attorney General of Idaho in 1990, the first American Indian in U.S. history elected as a State Attorney General. He also worked as General Counsel for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and was General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is currently serving as an Assistant Executive Director in the Correlation Department and is on the Boundary and Leadership Change Committee at Church headquarters. The Brigham Young University received a law degree from the University of Utah. Rhonda LeValdo, a member of the Acoma tribe, is a faculty member at Haskell Indian Nations University in Media Communications in Lawrence, KS. The journalist and filmmaker hosts a weekly radio show, Native Spirit, on KKFI in Kansas City. LeValdo is a former President of the Native American Journalists Association. The company operates independently and is owned by the nonprofit arm of the National Congress of American Indians. Indian Country Today will officially open its main newsroom at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication on July 1st. More here.
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Eleanor Holmes Norton and Barbara Lee Want to Make Sure the Federal Government is Advertising with Minority-Owned Businesses
The federal government is one of the country's largest advertisers, spending nearly $1 billion annually on advertising contracts. But businesses owned by minorities and women only receive a small portion of those contracts. In 2017, only 16% of the federal government’s advertising contract obligations went to businesses owned by minorities and women. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) aims to change this. Last week, she introduced a bill that would require federal agencies to include in their annual budget justifications the amount they spent on advertising contracts with small, disadvantaged businesses in the previous fiscal year, as well as projections of their spending for the upcoming fiscal year. “The federal government has an obligation to ensure fair access for minority and women-owned media companies,” Norton said. “My bill would ensure that federal agencies are striving to reach minorities and women, who often get their news from outlets that serve more specific communities.” She also teamed up with Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and sent letters to all 12 House appropriations subcommittees, requesting that they direct each agency under their jurisdiction to include this information in their fiscal year 2021 budget justifications as well. “It is imperative that we in Congress help to stop federal agencies from overlooking minority-owned businesses when establishing advertising contracts,” Lee said. The federal government spends money on advertising activities that, among other things, inform the public about programs and services. The lawmakers said the regular collection of information on federal advertising contracts businesses owned by women and minorities is essential to bridging the divide between current statistics and a more inclusive advertising landscape. More here.
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WSJ Adds to National Politics Team
Tarini Parti has joined the national political team at The Wall Street Journal. She was most recently at BuzzFeed News, where she covered the White House after traveling extensively during the 2016 presidential campaign. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduate previously covered money and lobbying for Politico. Parti also spent time at the Center for Responsive Politics, the Christian Science Monitor, and was also the Managing Editor of the Daily Tar Heel. WSJ also announced John McCormick and Catherine Lucey would join the national political team. More here.
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Congressman Joaquín Castro (D-TX) signing the House Democrats’ wall on Capitol Hill last week. | |  |
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-NY) with Guatemala Ambassador to the U.S. Manuel Espina on Capitol Hill last week. | |
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Airbnb Names New Head of Global Diversity and Belonging
Melissa C. Thomas-Hunt has been named Airbnb’s new Head of Global Diversity and Belonging. She will serve on the company’s Executive Team and lead the strategy and execution of its global internal diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging programs. Thomas-Hunt was most recently the Vice Provost for Inclusive Excellence at Vanderbilt University, where she focused on advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in Vanderbilt’s academic research and community of students, staff, and faculty. Prior to that, she served as Global Chief Diversity Officer at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. She also held full, associate, and assistant professorial roles for over 20 years at schools including Vanderbilt, the University of Virginia, Cornell University, and Washington University in St Louis. Thomas-Hunt began her career at IBM as a Marketing Representative. The Princeton University graduate received her Master’s and Ph.D. from Northwestern University. “Leaders are ultimately curators and stewards of an organization’s climate and culture. My role at Airbnb is to equip them with the skills to connect with individuals across backgrounds, embed conversations about diversity, inclusion and belonging throughout all of our businesses, and to help weave an organizational fabric that enables every member of our global team to feel like they belong,” she said. Thomas-Hunt will be based in San Francisco and begins her role today. More here.
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| FOMO
Tuesday, May 14th, 7:30A-12:45P: The Asian American Action Fund hosts an AAPI 2020 Campaign Strategy Briefing, “Innovation and Investment In AAPI Electoral Outreach: Lessons From 2018, Winning In 2020.” Speakers include DNC CEO Seema Nanda, among others. 2200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., DC. Click here for more information. Tuesday, May 14th, 7P: APAICS 25th Anniversary Awards Gala Dinner to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The evening honors Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders, both current and pioneers, and recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations that continue to politically empower the AAPI community. 1000 H Street, N.W., DC.
Click here for more information.
Wednesday, May 15th: The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights hosts its 43rd annual Hubert H. Humphrey Civil and Human Rights Award Dinner. The dinner will feature the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II as its honorary speaker, and will be attended by civil rights and congressional leaders alike. Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Avenue N.W., DC. Click here for more information.
Wednesday, May 15th - Thursday, May 16th: APAICS Leadership Network’s inaugural Legislative Leadership Summit bringing together nonprofit and corporate leaders, subject matter experts, as well as local and federally elected officials for two days of bipartisan policy discussions that affect the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community and the nation at large. Honorary Co-Chairs are Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA) and Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY). Grand Hyatt Washington. 1000 H Street N.W., DC. Click here for more information.
Saturday, May 18th, 3P: The Black Women’s Agenda host their Spirit of Change Town Hall. Washington National Cathedral. 3101 Wisconsin Ave N.W., DC. Click here for more information.
Wednesday, May 22nd, 12P: The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies hosts their 6th annual Military Leadership Luncheon in honor of active and past AAPI servicemen and women and to promote AAPI representation in military. Mandarin Oriental, 1330 Maryland Avenue S.W., DC. Click here for more information. Thursday, June 6th: African American Leadership Summit and IWillVote Gala hosted by DNC Chair Tom Pérez and DNC Black Caucus Virgie M. Rollins. Featuring several 2020 Democratic candidates for president, Stacey Abrams, Representatives Hank Johnson, John Lewis, and Lucy McBath; the Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson; Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and more. Atlanta, GA. Click here for more information.
Tuesday, June 11th, 6:30P: LatinoJustice PRLDEF hosts their fourth annual Southeast Regional Awards Reception in recognition of individuals working toward resolving human and civil rights issues in the Southeast region of the U.S. Bass Museum, 2100 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL. Click here for more information.
Wednesday, June 19th, 8A: LatinoJustice PRLDEF hosts their 10th annual Latina Trailblazers Breakfast to honor the achievements of Latina women who have paved the way for future Latina leaders. Tribeca Rooftop, 2 Desbrosses St, NY. Click here for more information.
Wednesday, June 26th - Sunday, June 30th: The National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women's Annual Legislative Conference, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders for thought-provoking conversation around real issues that directly affect Black women and their families. Chicago, IL. Click here for more information.
Thursday, June 27th, 7P: Management Leadership for Tomorrow’s 15th Anniversary Awards Gala Dinner, celebrating underrepresented minorities who are advancing to senior leadership roles in their organizations and communities. The evening honors those working to advance African American, Latinx, and Native American women and men. Grand Hyatt, 109 E 42nd Street, NYC. Click here for more information.
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