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Donald Trump is set to become the first sitting U.S. president to meet with a North Korean leader, after accepting an invitation by Kim Jong-un to discuss the future of Pyongyang’s nuclear program. The time and place is TBD. The meeting is an enormous gamble that the two uniquely singular leaders -- “Little Rocket Man” and the “dotard” -- will be able to negotiate without “fire and fury,” and it sets up the prospect of the most mind-boggling diplomatic summit in modern history. Back in the homeland, Trump is bracing for another battle -- this one from his own party. A bloc of Senate Republicans -- led by Trump foe retiring Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) -- is preparing legislation to block Donald Trump's tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. In the lower chamber, the House Oversight Committee requested information on how former WH Staff Secretary Rob Porter was allowed to work with an interim security clearance despite accusations of domestic abuse. The White House’s response? Nah. In other news, did you guys know that the NRA contributed to Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)? No, not that NRA. The National Restaurant Association. It’s apparently an embarrassing case of mistaken identity that many are making. And strange bedfellows? Senator John McCain (R-AZ) teamed with actress Angelina Jolie to pen a NYT op-ed stressing that the U.S. should lead in saving the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar who have been forced to flee a systematic military campaign of killings, arson, rape, and other mass atrocities amounting to ethnic cleansing. In the states, Mississippi lawmakers celebrated International Women’s Day on Thursday by passing the strictest abortion law in the nation. And in theaters, the diverse cast of A Wrinkle in Time hits the big screen. We’re kicking off the weekend with this...
- The Obamas in talks to take their brand to Netflix. Get ready to binge.
- Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) working to make sure Senate doesn’t put her baby in a corner.
- Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) intros bill to fight violence at healthcare facilities.
- Congressman José Serrano (D-NY) leads push on Treasury to expedite loan to Puerto Rico.
- Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) sponsors legislation to keep fuel economy and vehicle emissions standards.
- Former First Lady Michelle Obama interviews young women about their take on education.
- HUD Secretary Ben Carson tells employees he’s committed to anti-discrimination even while he removes language from mission statement.
- Former staffer for Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (D-USVI) sentenced to jail.
- OK Democrat wants to bring Native American representation to Congress.
- Meet the Native American woman running for the Senate in Arizona.
- A look at DNC diversity numbers a year into Chair Tom Pérez’s tenure.
- Find out who’s the newest co-host of NBC News’ Stay Tuned show.
- The Society of Professional Journalists has its first Black female ED.
- Journo groups file brief in support of Latina NYT reporter.
- Lonny Magazine promotes Managing Editor.
- Slow progress on diversity in regional Federal Reserve banks.
- Read below about HACU’s new Corporate and Philanthropic Council Vice Chair.
- The Latino Victory Fund has a new Deputy Political Director.
- New campaign launches to highlight contributions of Latinos.
- Trump DOJ slashes Obama-era policies.
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|  | Ava DuVernay and Oprah greeting CNN's Brooke Baldwin during Van Jones' taping of The Van Jones Show on Wednesday. The interview will air on Sunday. | |  | Transgender rights activist Janet Mock on the Oscars red carpet on Sunday. | |
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Tammy Duckworth Plans to Bring Baby to the Floor
Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is working with Democratic leadership to change Senate rules in order to allow her to bring her baby, due this spring, onto the Senate floor. In an interview with CNN, she said the rules governing children brought onto the floor in the Senate are "outdated" and reflect a time before women, especially mothers, could be Senators. "I mean, this is ridiculous. We're in 2018 and we're still dealing with this in the United States of America. We're better than that. And, certainly, this speaks to the problems we have in this country with the need for family leave and certainly more family-friendly legislation in this country," Duckworth told CNN. She says Democratic leaders in the Senate have been supportive of her effort to request an official rules change to allow any Senator to bring a child onto the Senate floor within the first year of the child's life. More here.
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Khanna Intros Bill to Fight Violence in Healthcare
Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) yesterday introduced the Health Care Workplace Violence Prevention Act in response to increasing workplace violence in healthcare facilities across the nation. The bill would direct the Secretary of Labor to issue an OSHA rule that requires healthcare employers to adopt a comprehensive workplace violence prevention plan. The violence prevention plan must be developed with input from all affected parties, including but not limited to, doctors, nurses, and custodial staff. The bill allows for one year for promulgation of the rule and another six months for healthcare facilities to create and implement their violence prevention plans. “Health care workers, doctors, and nurses are continuously at risk of workplace violence incidents – strangling, punching, kicking and other physical attacks – that can cause severe injury or death. This is simply unacceptable,” said Khanna. According to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics analysis, 52% of all incidents of workplace violence in 2014 involved workers in the healthcare and social assistance industry. Read more here.
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José Serrano Pleads with Treasury Sec to Expedite Loan to Puerto Rico
Congressman José Serrano (D-NY), a longtime member of the House Appropriations Committee, led a bicameral letter on Thursday with 57 of his colleagues to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, urging him to expedite the Community Disaster Loan process so that Puerto Rico has sufficient funds to offer essential services to its residents. According to recent reports, the loan amount offered to Puerto Rico is $2.06 billion instead of the $4.7 billion appropriated by Congress last year. The Treasury Department has also sought to impose stringent repayment terms on the loan. Congressman Serrano and his colleagues in both chambers urged the Secretary to offer the full loan amount and act in good faith. Puerto Rico has already been forced to provide the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) an emergency loan for $300 million to ensure they can continue delivering already limited electricity services, adding an unnecessary burden on the government and the people of Puerto Rico at a time of deep fiscal distress. Onerous loan terms would only further undermine local recovery efforts and capacity to offer basic services. “Puerto Rico remains in deep fiscal distress. The Department of the Treasury should -- instead of acting like a bank or hedge fund in the quest for profit -- offer a helping hand by offering generous terms on the loan in order to incentivize a quick recovery on the island,” says the letter. More here.
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Doris Matsui Intros Clean and Efficient Cars Act
Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) led 19 of her House Energy & Commerce Committee colleagues in introducing the Clean and Efficient Cars Act of 2018, which would preserve fuel economy and vehicle emissions standards that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save drivers money at the pump. The legislation would codify the EPA and the Department of Transportation (DOT) standards that were created in 2012 for light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas emissions and Corporate Average Fuel Economy for model years 2021 to 2025. In March 2017, the Trump administration announced that the EPA and DOT would be revisiting those standards, despite the fact that the EPA issued a final determination in January 2017 to maintain them. “The benefits of these standards are undeniable,” said Matsui. “By taking action to preserve them legislatively, we are continuing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect public health, save consumers money at the pump, and promote innovation. Allowing the Trump Administration to roll back these standards would be a step backwards. We should instead be promoting policies that drive us towards a more sustainable future for all Americans.” The Clean and Efficient Cars Act would preserve both the 2012 EPA and DOT rules, as well as stop the agencies from creating loopholes in the standards. It would also block any attempts by the Trump administration to reduce fuel economy or increase emissions through a rollback of the 2012 rules. More here.
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CNN commentator Ana Navarro showing support for Parkland, FL student activist Emma González. | |  |
The Hill's Jamal Simmons and wife Jewel James Simmons welcomed Truth Sundiata James Simmons on Thursday afternoon, who came into the world weighing 8lbs 4oz. Congrats! | |
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Barack and Michelle Obama in Talks with Netflix
Barack Obama and Michelle Obama are in advanced negotiations with Netflix to produce a series of high-profile shows that provide them a global platform after their departure from the White House. The NYT reports that terms of a proposed deal, which is not yet final, Netflix would pay the Obamas for exclusive content that would be available only on the streaming service. The number of episodes and the formats for the shows have not been decided. In one possible show idea, POTUS44 could moderate conversations on topics that dominated his presidency -- healthcare, voting rights, immigration, foreign policy, and climate change. Another program could feature FLOTUS44 on topics, like nutrition and empowering girls. The couple could also lend their brand to documentaries or fictional programming on Netflix that aligns with their beliefs and values. Sources say executives from Apple and Amazon, which have their own streaming services, have also expressed interest in talking with the Obamas about content deals. Obama has particularly close ties to Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s Chief Content Officer. Sarandos’ wife is Nicole A. Avant, who served as POTUS44’s Ambassador to the Bahamas. “President and Mrs. Obama have always believed in the power of storytelling to inspire,” Eric Schultz, a Senior Advisor to the former president, said Thursday. “Throughout their lives, they have lifted up stories of people whose efforts to make a difference are quietly changing the world for the better. As they consider their future personal plans, they continue to explore new ways to help others tell and share their stories.” Netflix has nearly 118 million subscribers around the world. More here.
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Michelle Obama Talks Education with Girls Around the World
Former First Lady Michelle Obama interviewed young women around the world about what education means to them. The interviews, done in conjunction with the Obama Foundation and Refinery29, were with four young women from Ghana, Guatemala, Chicago, and Nepal. "I plan to continue this work for the rest of my life, and I’m proud that my husband and I are creating a global adolescent girls' education program through the Obama Foundation," she said. "I want every girl on the planet to have the same kind of opportunities that I've had, and that my daughters are having, to fulfill their potential and pursue their dreams." According to the United Nations, countries lose more than one billion dollars a year by failing to educate girls at the same level as boys. And studies from the Brookings Institution report that just one extra year of secondary school can increase a girl's future income by 10 to 20%. Obama aims to shine a light on the importance and urgency of empowering girls around the world and to ensure they can reach their full potential through education and, in turn, support their families, communities, and countries. “To celebrate International Women’s Day, I wanted to reach out and connect with girls around the world -- including in Chicago -- to hear their stories and to share some of mine," Obama said. "Working to empower girls across the globe is my passion, and through the Obama Foundation, it will be something I work on for the rest of my life. I hope readers everywhere will be inspired to join me in this effort.” Check out the interviews here.
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|  | Birmingham, AL Mayor Randal Woodfin on Sunday with DNC Deputy Chair Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN). | |  | Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI) on Wednesday meeting with Japanese Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae to discuss U.S.-Japan relations. | |
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Ben Carson Backpedals On Removing Anti-Discrimination Language and Appointee on Staff Spread Satanist Theory
We told you yesterday that a top HUD official emailed staff at the agency this week to inform them that they were changing the mission statement to better reflect the priorities of both Secretary Ben Carson and Donald Trump’s administration. In a Thursday email to staff, Carson assured HUD employees he was committed to ensuring fair and discrimination-free housing. He said he was considering changing the agency’s mission statement, but said the idea he was moving away from fighting for inclusivity was “nonsense.” The proposed mission statement, which was developed in consultation with Carson, removed language that echoes diversity from its mission statement -- specifically a phrase about keeping “inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination.” New York magazine recently reported that under Carson, HUD has pulled projects meant to help the LGBTQ community, which included online training materials for homeless shelters to ensure equal access for transgender people. In more bizarre news, Carson employs a former conservative commentator with a history of spreading fake news. In 2016, HUD Senior Advisor Robert Gibbs, who is tasked with developing and implementing efforts aimed at increasing economic development programs for low-income people, made multiple references to a conspiracy theory started by far-right bloggers claiming Hillary Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta took part in a Satanic ritual. The claim has repeatedly been debunked. More here.
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DOJ’s Five-Year Plan Slashed Obama-Holder Policies
A draft version of the DOJ’s five-year strategic plan obtained by HuffPost shows the Trump administration’s plans for the agency include cracking down on undocumented immigrants, aggressively prosecuting national security leaks, zeroing in on-campus speech issues, targeting the MS-13 gang and restoring the “rule of law” throughout the country. AG Jeff Sessions is rapidly shifting the Justice Department’s focus from Obama-era goals, such as civil rights enforcement and criminal justice reform, to conservative priorities. The draft plan has four major strategic goals: counterterrorism; securing the borders and enhancing immigration enforcement; reducing violent crime; and promoting “integrity, good government and the rule of law.” Under crime prevention, the draft plan specifically names MS-13, an international gang that has gotten heavy attention from the Trump administration. The specific mention elevates them to a status not even given to the so-called Islamic State group. What’s not in the plan? The Barack Obama-era efforts to highlight the rights of federal prisoners which stated that incarceration “traps too many Americans and weakens too many communities.” Former AG Eric Holder’s DOJ emphasized avoiding “harsh mandatory minimum sentences for low-level, nonviolent drug offenders.” It also supported Americans’ right to “equal protection and justice” and the need to protect “vulnerable populations.” A DOJ spokesman said the plan is not yet finalized but issued a statement highlighting many of the same priorities addressed in the draft plan. More here.
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Former Plaskett Staffer Sentenced
Juan McCullum, a former staffer for Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (D-USVI), has been sentenced to a year and a day in prison for circulating sexually explicit photos and videos of his former boss and her husband. The 36-year-old pleaded guilty in January to two federal cyber-related charges and two DC offenses, including conspiracy to disclose sexual images and attempted unlawful publication of a sexual image. In addition to the prison time, McCullum must also complete two years of supervised probation, U.S. Attorney Jessie Liu and U.S. Capitol Police Chief Matthew Verderosa said in a statement. The Hill reports that a co-defendant in the case, Dorene Browne-Louis, also pleaded guilty in January to one federal cyber charge and a DC charge of conspiracy to disclose sexual images. She is scheduled to be sentenced next month. While McCullum was working in Plaskett's Capitol Hill office, he offered to take Plaskett’s malfunctioning iPhone to an Apple store to be repaired. But after Plaskett gave him the password for the device to facilitate the repair, McCullum took possession of nude images and videos stored on the phone and was assisted by Browne-Louis. More here.
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Farrakhan Anti-Semitism Causes Controversy for Danny Davis, Women’s March Organizers
Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL) has come under fire for his connections to Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan who has once again spouted anti-semitic remarks. In an interview with The Daily Caller -- a conservative outlet -- earlier this week, Davis said that “The world is so much bigger than Farrakhan and the Jewish question,” and in a follow-up statement on March 5th, did not denounce or even mention Farrakhan. Last night, however, Davis put out a new statement clarifying his stance. “There have been attempts to question my commitment to [my] principles because I did not specifically single out the views and remarks of Minister Louis Farrakhan in that statement. I make no exceptions to my rejection, condemnation and active opposition of hatred, bigotry and separatism. So let me be clear: I reject, condemn and oppose Minister Farrakhan’s views and remarks regarding the Jewish people and the Jewish religion.” Other members of the CBC, including Congressmen André Carson (D-IL) and Gregory Meeks (D-NY), as well as Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), have denounced Farrakhan in the past few days after being targeted by the Republican Jewish Coalition for their connections to the Minister. Similarly, organizers of the Women’s March including Tamika Mallory, Linda Sarsour, and Carmen Perez have come under scrutiny for their connections to Farrakhan. Mallory was in attendance -- and even received a shoutout from the Minister -- at a speech in February where Farrakhan declared that “the powerful Jews are my enemy.” Sarsour has collaborated previously with him, and Perez defended Farrakhan in January, saying that there are “no perfect leaders.” In a series of tweets, Mallory called the criticisms “bullying,” but did not denounce Farrakhan’s comments. Read more here.
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|  | Planned Parenthood's Alencia Johnson, commentator Symone Sanders, and activist Samuel Sinyangwe on Tuesday at the Harvard Kennedy School's Institute of Politics. | |  | CA gubernatorial candidate Amanda Rentería on Saturday speaking at the IGNITE National Women’s Political Leadership Summit in San Francisco.
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Sole Dem Runs in Oklahoma Hoping to Bring Native American Representation to Congress
Amanda Douglas is hoping to turn Oklahoma’s traditionally Republican 1st Congressional District blue. Incumbent Congressman Jim Bridenstine (R-OK) is not seeking re-election because he is Trump’s choice to head NASA. Hence, the heavily Republican district will be an open seat. The Native American candidate is the only Democrat on the ballot so far. If no one files by the April 13th deadline, she will have no competition in the June 26th primary. She says on her website, “I am not exactly drowning in political experience; however, I want you all to know that I consider that an advantage over other candidates at this point. We need fresh air in Washington. We need representation in Congress that is NOT part of the club– someone who is there for the good of the PEOPLE, not for financial gains or exploitable opportunities.” Douglas and her family are citizens of the Cherokee Nation from Glenpool, Oklahoma, and she’s a graduate of Oklahoma State University. More here.
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Meet the Native American Candidate Running for Senate in AZ
Eve Reyes-Aguirre is running to become the first female Senator in Arizona and the first Native American female Senator in U.S. history. The 42-year-old Izkaloteka Mexican Native lives in Phoenix and is running as a third-party candidate with the Green Party. She still needs to secure 1,000 signatures before she can appear on the ballot come November. She’s got until May and already has about 400. The mother of four has never run for public office and has a pretty limited voting track record, having voted for the first time ten years ago for Barack Obama. She has, however, been politically active in other ways: serving on the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues from 2009 to 2017 and co-chairing the Global Indigenous Women’s Caucus until last year. As an indigenous woman, Eve also represents the women in her Calpolli (traditional community) annually at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, as well as at the Global Indigenous Women’s Caucus. She has also been a community organizer for more than 20 years. She joins the ranks of Republican candidate Joe Arpaio, the racist former Maricopa County Sheriff; Congresswoman Martha McSally (R-AZ); Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ); and other third-party candidates. More here.
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DNC Diversity a Year Into the Tom Pérez Era
Adrian Carrasquillo, formerly with BuzzFeed, examined DNC Chair Tom Pérez’s first year at the helm through the lens of diversity. Aside from Pérez himself being the first Latino Chair in history, the numbers also show some increase in diversity. Carrasquillo reports in The Latino Briefing that 43% of DNC staff are people of color. The DNC went from five Latino staffers when Pérez started a year ago to 20 Latino staffers. The DNC also has more officers of color than at any previous point. The Committee boasts the following women in elected leadership: Vice Chair Karen Carter Peterson (African American), Vice Chair María Elena Durazo (Latina), Vice Chair Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY) (AAPI), and Deputy Treasurer Lorna Johnson (African American). Additionally, the following are senior staff comprised of women of color: COO Laura Chambers (African American), Director of Party Affairs & Delegate Selection and Leadership Patrice Taylor (African American), Director of Meetings and Conferences Lisa Hargrove (African American), Communications Director Xochitl Hinojosa (Latina), Political and Organizing Director Amanda Brown Lierman, (African American), and Director of the Women’s Leadership Forum Jessica Knight Henry (African American). Caucus leadership includes Women’s Caucus Chair Lottie Shackelford (African American) and Black Caucus Chair Virgie M. Rollins (African American). More from Adrian here.
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|  | CNN's Jim Acosta on Wednesday with Parkland, FL high school activist Kyle Kashuv. | |  | NM congressional candidate Deb Haaland out on the campaign trail on Sunday meeting with Bernalillo County Democrats. | |
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NBC News Snaps Former P. Diddy Talent
NBC News has hired Lawrence Jackson as the newest co-host of Stay Tuned, the network’s twice-daily news show on Snapchat that is just 2-3 minutes long. Jackson heads to NBC News after a stint as a host and correspondent for MTV’s TRL. Before MTV, Jackson was a host for P. Diddy’s Revolt TV. Jackson will host Stay Tuned on weekends, while Savannah Sellers and Gadi Schwartz remain the show’s co-hosts during the week. Stay Tuned launched in July 2017, and it averages more than 25 million unique monthly viewers, 75% of whom are under the age of 25. Originally from Spring Valley, NY, Lawrence is a broadcast journalism graduate of Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. More here.
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SPJ Names First Black Female Executive Director
The Society of Professional Journalists named veteran journalist and association leader Alison Bethel McKenzie as its 20th Executive Director, the first Black woman to take the helm. A native of Miami, Bethel McKenzie served for five years as Executive Director of the International Press Institute, the world’s oldest global press freedom organization, in Vienna, Austria. She was the first American, first woman, and first African American to hold the position since it was founded in 1950. In addition, she has worked as a visiting professor of print and investigative journalism at the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media in Bangalore, India. She was a Knight International Journalism Fellow in Ghana in 2008-09, Executive Editor of the Legal Times in DC, and has also worked at the Boston Globe, LA Times, Detroit News, and Miami Herald. "The work that SPJ has done in supporting both student and professional journalists, as well as its diligent fight for press freedom in the United States and abroad, is crucial – now more than ever,” Bethel McKenzie said. "I look forward to sharing my experience with and passion for press freedom and best journalistic practices to help elevate SPJ’s work, including increasing the diversity among its membership.” The Howard University graduate is currently pursuing her MBA in media leadership at the University of Cumbria (U.K.) in collaboration with the Robert F. Kennedy College (Switzerland). Congrats, Alison! More here.
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|  | National Hispanic Leadership Agenda Executive Director Héctor Sánchez Barba last week speaking with Telemundo Washington Correspondent Lori Montenegro about Dream Act legislation.
| |  | Congressman Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) on Wednesday meeting with Wendolyn Murphy, CEO of the Mescalero Apache Boys & Girls Club, and Tim Sheahan, President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central New Mexico. | |
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Journo Groups File Brief in Support of Latina NYT Reporter
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists, the Asian American Journalists Association, the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting, and the National Association of Black Journalists have come to the defense of NYT reporter Frances Robles (pictured), a Latina journalist fighting an attempt to force her to testify in a murder case. The case involves Conrado Juárez, who in 2013 had confessed to the killing of his toddler cousin in NYC. However, in an interview with Robles several days after his arrest, Juárez said he had been coerced into confessing to the crime and that he had not killed her. Prosecutors want Robles to take the stand and testify about her conversation with Juárez -- and turn over any notes she might have -- contending that her testimony and notes were “critical and necessary” to the case. An appeals court previously ruled in her favor, but that decision is under appeal. In an amicus brief, the journo groups say a ruling against Robles and the NYT could set a dangerous precedence. “Forcing testimony of a journalist impedes the process from building trust in a relationship with sources and protection of materials gathered,” said NAHJ President Brandon Benavides. “When we are forced to disclose confidential news sources and unpublished information, it threatens our service to communities and the responsibility we uphold in raising awareness of important knowledge.” The NY Court of Appeals has scheduled oral arguments for April 24th. More here.
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Lonny Magazine Promotes Managing Editor
Lonny Magazine has promoted Angela Tafoya to Editorial Director. She previously served as the home design magazine’s Managing Editor since 2016. Prior to working at Lonny, she served as West Coast lifestyle editor of Refinery29 where her job was to know about everything cool before anyone else did. Before that, the 2009 Cal State-Long Beach graduate served as a Community Manager for Popsugar. She will be based in San Francisco. More about her here.
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Another scandal?? Yep. There was breaking news every day this week. This was our face at least three times a day. We worked hard all week to capture it all and keep you abreast of the good, the bad, and the ugly of Beltway politics and beyond.
Today, we're happy to report ... it's Friday!!!
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HACU Appoints Vice Chair to Key Council
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) has named Jorge Caballero as Vice Chair of HACU’s Corporate and Philanthropic Council. The Council advises and supports HACU in its corporate outreach by building business partnerships and increasing philanthropic support. The Rutgers University grad is a Senior Partner at Deloitte Tax LLP and is a CPA with nearly four decades of professional experience. The son of Cuban immigrants, Caballero arrived in the U.S. at age ten without speaking any English. Caballero has worked closely with HACU, and the organization offers the annual Jorge Caballero Student Leadership Award, which provides $10,000 in scholarships to Hispanic accounting students who have demonstrated leadership qualities through academics and community involvement. HACU has also named Mike Aguilera to the Council. The Florida International University grad, who has a Master’s from Nova Southeastern University, is Director of Global Diversity for Education at Sodexo. He speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese and has previously worked for Naty AB, PepsiCo, and Altria. More here.
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Latino Victory Fund Names Deputy Political Director
The Latino Victory Fund has named Jessica Rubio as their new Deputy Political Director. She will be based in Phoenix and will oversee the group’s electoral efforts on the West Coast. The experienced organizer most recently served as Arizona State Coordinator for Mi Familia Vota. Prior to that, the 2015 Grand Canyon University grad worked as an Associate at Solidarity Strategies. She also worked as a Program Director for the Center for Neighborhood Leadership, where she founded a program to support first-generation and low-income college students. Jessica, a DACA recipient, was born and raised in Querétaro, Mexico. She immigrated to the United States at the age of fourteen and is fluent in both Spanish and English. The Latino Victory Fund is a progressive political action committee with the mission of growing Latino political power by increasing Latino representation at every level of government. Congrats, Jessica! More here.
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New Campaign Launched to Highlight Contributions of Latinos
The Latino Donor Collaborative, a nonpartisan nationwide initiative dedicated to rebuilding the Latino brand and advancing a more accurate portrayal of Latinos, launched their first national advertising campaign, which appeared in the WSJ. The Power of All campaign - which will be running throughout this month - will highlight the contributions of Latinos to the U.S. “By changing the common misconceptions surrounding this vital and growing segment, we can create a more prosperous national economy that includes and benefits everyone,” the Collaborative said. Check out the campaign here.
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Slow Progress for Diverse Leadership at Fed’s Regional Banks
Despite the act establishing the Federal Reserve which requires the organization’s leadership “represent the public” and represent the interests of “agriculture, commerce, industry, services, labor, and consumers,” it does not. According to a new report compiled by Fed Up, a campaign of the Center for Popular Democracy, the report highlights the lag in gender, racial and occupational diversity among the presidents and boards of directors of the regional reserve banks. Researchers say this serves to further isolate already marginalized groups such as communities of color and women from monetary policy. Of the regional banks’ 107 board directors, 77% are white and 67% are male. Progress has been slow but improving. Among the 14 new directors appointed to the regional bank boards in 2018, half are people of color. The report focuses on the leadership of the Fed’s regional banks, which consist of 12 districts nationwide and are distinct from the central authority -- the Fed Board of Governors -- based in the nation’s capital. More here from WaPo.
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| FOMO
Today - Saturday, March 10th: The Progressive Caucus Center hosts the 2018 Strategy Summit. Baltimore, MD. Click here to register.
Today, 7P: The March on Washington Film Festival, LA’s Plaza de Cultura y Artes, and Friends of the American Latino Museum host a screening of The Rise and Fall of the Brown Buffalo, a documentary about the life and times of Chicano lawyer and author Oscar Zeta Acosta. Free. LA Plaza De Culturas y Artes 501 North Main Street, Los Angeles. Click here for more information and to obtain tickets.
Saturday, March 10th, 10A: A program to present Full Color Future, a new think tank and advocacy organization committed to changing the narrative about people of color in media, tech, and innovation. Presented by Google, at SXSW. Google Austin, TX Office, 500 West 2nd Street. Click here to RSVP.
Saturday, March 10th, 3P: The Raben Group and the Consulate General of Mexico host a panel discussion, Tech and Trade: Modernizing the U.S.-Mexico Partnership for the Digital Age. Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River Street, Austin, TX.Click here to RSVP.
Sunday, March 11th, 9A: The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historic Park Bus Trip, 4068 Golden Hill Road, Church Creek, MD. Click here for more information and RSVP to dmvblackhistoryfieldtrips@gmail.com.
Monday, March 12th, 3:45P: Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) participates in a town hall meeting with high school students to discuss gun violence. Newark Memorial High School, 39375 Cedar Blvd, Newark, CA. Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr will also be participating. Click here for more information.
Tuesday, March 13th, 2P: Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-NY) and Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA) announce the official launch of the Congressional Smart Cities Caucus. 2247 Rayburn HOB. Open to press. RSVP to: Christine.Bennett@mail.house.gov.
Tuesday, March 13th, 7P: The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials presents Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) with the 2018 Edward R. Roybal Award for Outstanding Public Service during the organization’s annual Edward R. Roybal Legacy Gala in DC. JW Marriott, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Tuesday, March 13th, 7:30P: National Geographic conversation, “Environmental Justice | What's Next?” Talia Buford, Robert Bullard, Jon Waterhouse, Mustafa Ali, and Adrianna Quintero on how the environmental justice movement must adapt in the face of a changing planet. National Geographic, Gilbert H. Grosvenor Auditorium, 1600 M Street, N.W. Click here for more.
Wednesday, March 14th, 9A: The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute sponsors the CHCI Energy Summit: A World in Transition. Newseum, 5 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Click here for more information.
Wednesday, March 14th, 9A: Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD), National Women’s Law Center President & CEO Fatima Goss Graves discuss “#MeToo and #TimesUp in Congress.” 1341 G Street, N.W., 5th Floor. Click here to RSVP.
Wednesday, March 14th - Sunday, March 18th: The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation 7th Annual Black Women’s Roundtable Women of Power National Summit: Time for A Power Shift!!! Crystal City Marriott, 1999 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Thursday, March 15th, 5P: The Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, National Center for Transgender Equality, Familia es Familia, and D&P Creative Strategies discuss the US Transgender Survey and its implications for transgender individuals in minority communities. Featured speakers include Congresswoman Michelle Luján Grisham (D-NM) and Congressman Mark Takano (D-CA). Rayburn HOB, Room 2172. A reception will follow. To RSVP, email rsvpdcevents@gmail.com.
Friday, March 16th, 10A: The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Commissioners' monthly public meeting on key civil rights themes: Maine: Memorandum on Racial Discrimination in Criminal Prosecution and Sentencing; Maryland: Advisory Memorandum on Fees and Fines and Bail Reform; Illinois: Report on Civil Rights and Voting. USCCR, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 1150. RSVP to publicaffairs@usccr.gov.
Friday, March 16th, 11A: The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights commemorates Women’s History Month with its Speakers Series. Fatima Goss Graves, President and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center, will speak about the history of advocacy for women’s rights. Also participating is Page Harrington, Public Historian and Preservationist. USCCR, 1331 Pennsylvania Ave NW Suite 1150. RSVP to publicaffairs@usccr.gov.
Friday, March 16th, 12P: The African American Women on the Hill Network, the Black Women's Congressional Alliance, the Congressional Black Associates, and the Senate Black Legislative Staff Caucus hosts a Women's History Month event: "Black Girl Magic on Capitol Hill.” The event honors black female Hill staffers and features an EMPOWER-HER panel discussion. Capitol Visitor Center SVC 201-00. Click here for more information and to register.
Friday, March 16th, 6P: The Greater Washington Urban League celebrates its 80th anniversary at the 46th annual Whitney M. Young, Jr. Gala. Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) will receive the COURAGE UNDER FIRE Impact Leadership Award. Congressman Lewis will also be interviewed by retired AMEX CEO Ken Chenault in a live, one-on-one discussion. Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Wednesday, March 21st, 5P: Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA), Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), and Congressman Joe Crowley (D-NY) participate in The Hill and The Hill Latino "Newsmaker Conversation: Leadership in Action." Editor-in-Chief Bob Cusack interviews them about their values, leadership styles, and vision for the nation. To RSVP, email Keely Sullivan at ksullivan@thehill.com.
Thursday, March 22nd - Sunday, March 25th: The National Hispanic Medical Association 22nd Annual Conference, "Conquistando el Futuro: Clinicians Leading Latino Health Care.” Gaylord National, 201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD. Click here for more information and to register. Congressional staffers or federal government workers: email pmontenegro@nhmamd.org for a discount code.
Thursday, March 29th, 8P: Jazz, hip hop, and soul combine in August Greene, the newly formed supergroup featuring emcee Common, pianist and composer Robert Glasper, and percussionist and producer Karriem Riggins. Kennedy Center. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Thursday, April 12th - Sunday, April 15th: The inaugural Black Millennial Political Convention. The gathering aims to increase engagement of Black Millennials in the political sphere and shed a light on policy issues impacting the Black community. Hyatt Regency Hotel. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Wednesday, April 18th, 6P: The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) 2018 Gala and Awards. Mayflower Hotel, 1127 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. To purchase tickets, contact Heaven Ocampo, hocampo@maldef.org or 213.629.2512 ext. 143. Wednesday, April 18th - Saturday, April 21st: The National Action Network hosts its annual conference, this year commemorating the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Sheraton Times Square, NYC. Click here for more information.
Thursday, April 19th: The University of North Dakota sponsors a conference on the Dakota Access Pipeline and the Standing Rock protests. Click here for more information.
Wednesday, April 25th - Friday, April 27th: The African American Mayor Association 2018 Annual Conference. DoubleTree Hotel, 300 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA. Click here to purchase tickets.
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