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SHORTY… It’s quiet on Capitol Hill, so we’re going to keep this short. REVELATIONS OF REPARATIONS... Ronald Mortensen, the president’s nominee to head the State Department's office for refugees, wrote last year that DACA recipients should pay restitution to Americans for illicit use of Social Security numbers. STEEL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS… The U.S., already locked in a contentious dispute with China, is poised to impose steel and aluminum tariffs on the European Union, and possibly Canada and Mexico, when a temporary exemption expires this week. NEW CHIEF IN THE HUD… HUD Secretary Ben Carson will name Alfonso Costa Jr., the son of his close friend and business associate, as Deputy Chief of Staff. The 29-year-old is a graduate of Yale, Oxford, and Harvard Law, according to HUD spokesman Raffi Williams. SMOOTH CRIMINAL… The estate of Michael Jackson filed a copyright infringement suit on Wednesday against the Walt Disney Co., alleging that ABC used Jackson’s songs and videos without permission in The Last Days of Michael Jackson, a TV special that aired on March 24th. Just like Bey and Jay, we’re ON THE RUN… We’re back on Monday and kicking off the end of the congressional recess with this...
- Native American voters are not too pleased with Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), and it could influence who controls the Senate.
- Ken Chenault backing startup that provides credit scores to immigrants.
- Senator Bob Menéndez (D-NJ) pushes Commerce and the Trump Organization on ZTE.
- Indian American politicos and influencers will come together for their first-ever Capitol Hill gathering.
- Catch The Beat DC’s Tiffany D. Cross on AM Joy on MSNBC with Joy-Ann Reid this Saturday at 10A. Tune in!
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Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) with staffers celebrating Peru making it to the 2018 World Cup after a 36 year drought. | |  |
Actor Ty Jones joining The Daily Show’s Roy Wood Jr. on Tuesday for a unique take on Starbucks’ racial bias training. | |
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Ro Khanna Previews Jobs for All Legislation
Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) plans to introduce a new “jobs for all” plan that he believes can help create consensus around the idea of trying something radically different when it comes to putting people to work. We told you earlier this month about a new bill introduced by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) to create a pilot plan to test a public sector job guarantee in 15 municipalities with high unemployment rates. Khanna’s legislation, however, is different. It does not rely solely on public sector jobs to fill gaps in the market. Instead, his plan is based on a program used in Germany that combines increased public-sector work with subsidized private-sector jobs to achieve full employment. “What my proposal tries to do is take the pace of the center-left economics, and the progressive economics, and offered a hybrid approach at solving structural unemployment,” Khanna said in an interview with Mic. “My bill would allow people to become an apprentice as a painter, as a glazier, as an electrician, to work for a small business, for a union doing private work, and really develop the skills to have meaningful work in either the public sector or the private sector.” Khanna’s plan would work by allowing businesses to take on up to 15 jobs subsidized by the federal government at 120% of the cost of labor and 150% for unionized jobs. The extra money would go toward additional costs for increased employment like training and workspaces. The jobs under the program would not be permanent -- they would be subsidized for up to 18 months, with a minimum of three months employment. After that 18 months, employers can renew the subsidy for up to a year, with incentives to hire workers permanently. More here.
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Ted Cruz Pushes to Protect U.S. Victims of International Terrorism
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) is introducing legislation that he says is intended to protect American victims of international terrorism and ensure access to compensation for those impacted by acts of terror. Joined by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Cruz last week announced the Anti-Terrorism Clarification Act of 2018, which makes changes to the Antiterrorism Act of 1992 to allow American victims of international terrorism to obtain justice in U.S. courts by holding those who commit, aid, or abet terrorist activity abroad. “The history of Palestinian and Iranian terrorism against Americans is extensive, going decades and ranging from hijackings to suicide bombings and assassinations,” Cruz said. “For too long American citizens have been disgracefully denied justice. This bill will ensure that American victims of terrorism are empowered to secure accountability from terrorists and their supporters.” The bill is co-sponsored by Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), among others. More here.
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Journalist Jenni Monet making a pit stop in Tucson, AZ on Tuesday before heading to North Dakota. | |  |
CNN's Van Jones and artist Kelvin Woods, who painted Jones' portrait during the weekend. | |
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Indian Americans Come Together for First-Ever Gathering on Capitol Hill
For the first time, the U.S. Capitol on June 6th will host a meeting of Indian American elected officials, leaders, philanthropists, and some 80 community members running for elected offices in the November midterm elections. Sponsored by the Indian American Impact Project, the day-long meeting is expected to be attended by nearly 200 Indian Americans. Participants will hear from Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), the first-ever Senator of Indian origin, during the keynote address, as well as from Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ). "We are thrilled to host the first-ever gathering of Indian American elected officials, candidates, philanthropists, community leaders, and political strategists," Gautam Raghavan, a former Obama administration official said. "I am particularly excited that we have over 30 Indian American candidates and elected officials attending the Summit. Many of them are eager to connect with one another, to share stories from the campaign trail and lessons learned along the way. We look forward to celebrating their courage to run for office.” A record number of 20 Indian Americans are running for the House of Representatives. More here.
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Cory Booker Launches Paid Internship Program with Pay Our Interns
In April, we told you that Pay Our Interns (POI), the nonprofit organization advocating for paid internships, had sent letters to every Senate office that offers unpaid internships, urging them to use their increase in staffing funds to compensate interns. Now, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) will be among the first of those Senators to launch a paid internship program with POI. While many members of Congress frequently discuss increasing diversity on the Hill, few actually implement a clear solution to bringing underrepresented backgrounds on board -- paying interns. According to a study by POI last year, 51% of Senate Republicans and 32% of Senate Democrats pay their interns, despite the average cost of interning in DC being more than $6,000. “This is a huge step for Capitol Hill interns who often work for little-to-no pay,” says Carlos Mark Vera, POI Founder. “Senator Booker is already known for having one of the best internship programs in the Senate, we hope that other Capitol Hill leaders will follow Senator Booker’s example and begin paying interns. Everyone regardless of their socio-economic status deserves a chance to intern on Capitol Hill, and we thank Senator Booker for being a leader on this issue by launching an internship program in both his DC and NJ offices.” More here.
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Baseball is in his blood! That’s Congressman Jimmy Gómez (D-CA) in his little league days. | |  |
The Daily Show’s Trevor Noah at age three in Johannesburg, South Africa. | |
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Illinois Members Intro Gun Violence Awareness Resolution
Illinois Democrats Congresswoman Robin Kelly and Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin last week introduced a resolution declaring June 1st through 3rd as “National Gun Violence Awareness Weekend” and designating June as “National Gun Violence Awareness Month.” The resolution urges citizens and community leaders to concentrate heightened attention on gun violence during June and work together to make communities safer. In the wake of mass shootings such as Las Vegas, Parkland, and most recently Santa Fe, the Illinois members also reflect on the death of Hadiya Pendleton, who was shot while standing with friends in Kenwood, Chicago after taking her final exams. “As we prepare to celebrate what would have been Hadiya Pendleton’s 21st birthday, another community – Santa Fe, Texas – is asking the same questions that too many Chicagoland families ask everyday: why us? Why my child? Why here? And why do Republican policymakers keep letting this happen? This is America – moms shouldn’t be afraid to send their children to school, the park or the corner store,” Kelly said in a statement. “It’s past time to enact common sense gun safety laws and support our young people in picking up pencils and books instead of weapons.” Fourteen Senators and 25 members in the House have co-sponsored the resolution, which also encourages Americans to wear orange on June 2nd to honor the victims of gun violence. More here.
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Bob Menéndez Wants Answers on ZTE from Commerce and Trump Org
Senator Bob Menéndez (D-NJ), the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Friday sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, warning him that Donald Trump’s recent statements on ZTE indicate that he is “willing to bargain away enforcement matters for short-term trade gains, which sets a dangerous precedent that potentially undermines U.S. national security interests and the rule of law.” Menéndez’s letter also raised concerns regarding the timing of Trump’s statements on ZTE with the announcement that the Chinese government will guarantee up to $500 million in financing for MNC Lido City, a project from which Trump continues to profit. To that end, Menéndez also sent a separate letter to the Trump Organization requesting information regarding the recent announcement that the Chinese government will guarantee up to $500 million in financing for MNC Lido City, that includes Trump-branded buildings and a golf course. Trump has reportedly already earned between $2 million and $10 million from the development. “Given President Trump’s ongoing financial interest in the project, from which he continues to derive income, this development has raised concerns that U.S. foreign policy may be affected,” wrote Menéndez. More here.
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Soledad O’Brien on Tuesday receiving the Hennessy U.S. Privilège Toast award from Henry Polanco at the PowHERful Foundation reception. | |  |
Rapper Kendrick Lamar accepting his Pultizer Prize on Wednesday for his album "DAMN." | |
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Former AMEX CEO Backs Start-Up Providing Credit Scores for Immigrants
Ken Chenault, the former American Express CEO, is backing Nova Credit -- a start-up company that provides credit scores for immigrants who struggle to rent apartments and access other basic services upon their arrival in the U.S. It has secured funding from General Catalyst, the venture capital group which Chenault joined as Chairman and Managing Director this year, that has stood behind companies including Snap, Stripe, and Warby Parker. Alongside an existing backer of Nova Credit, Index Ventures, they are putting up about $16 million in Series A funding. Nova Credit, which was founded as a research project by a trio of Stanford University graduate students, pulls credit history from an immigrant’s country of origin and converts it into a U.S. credit score that can be used by lenders and other groups. “The company has the potential to bring millions of new consumers to the financial services industry and to create new banking and credit opportunities for people who, up until now, have been left out of the system,” Chenault said. More here.
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ICYMI: Emily’s List Names Chief Administrative Officer
Earlier this year, Denelle Robinson was tapped as Chief Administrative Officer for EMILY's List, where she’s overseeing all operations and human resource functions, as well as leading the organization’s diversity and inclusion efforts. She most recently served as the organization’s Human Resources Director. The Georgia Southern University graduate began her career as a human resources intern at Briggs & Stratton, a lawn mower brand, in 2003. Since then, Robinson has served as an HR Manager for a variety of organizations, including the Children’s National Health System, Dimension Data, United Nations Foundation, the Center for American Progress, and Raffa, PC. More about her here.
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CA gubernatorial candidate Amanda Renteria on the campaign trail last weekend. | |  |
Daily Kos writer Gabe Ortíz on Memorial Day. | |
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Native American Vote Could Influence Dems Taking the Senate
Native American voters have been giving Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) the side-eye over her perceived non-stance on the Dakota Access Pipeline, which brought thousands of American Indians and others to North Dakota in 2016 and 2017 to protest its construction under the Missouri River. This creates a big challenge since Heitkamp’s spot in the Senate is considered vulnerable, and Native Americans were part of a dedicated voting bloc who helped secure her thin margin of victory in the last election cycle. In Sioux County, home to the Standing Rock reservation, Heitkamp took 83% of the vote. "We rallied so hard for her, but when her hand was forced she basically sold out to big oil," Marlo Hunte-Beaubrun told The Associated Press this week. Hunte-Beaubrun is a former statewide candidate and member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe who helped organize the Native American vote for Heitkamp during her 2012 campaign. She described Heitkamp's treatment of Native American voters as a "kick in the stomach." Former Standing Rock Tribal Chairman Dave Archambault, who was the face and voice of the fight against the Dakota Access oil pipeline, said he met with Heitkamp when the pipeline was first proposed and long before the protests. “She didn’t truly listen to what Indian Country was saying,” Archambault said. “Now she’s in a bind.” In an interview with The Associated Press, Heitkamp highlighted her work on Native American issues, saying no one in the delegation has been a “stronger advocate.” Of the Pipeline, she said: “My interest was keeping everybody safe.” More here.
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DNC Gives FL Dems Cash Money to Mobilize PR Voters
DNC Chair Tom Pérez on Wednesday met with Puerto Rican politicians and Democrats in Orlando, FL and announced that the organization would provide a $100,000 to reach out to PR voters -- especially those displaced by Hurricane Maria. Pérez and the Puerto Rican leaders also talked about the need to educate families on how politics work in the mainland, because many island voters often register as "no party affiliation" since Puerto Rico has different parties and some may not know the difference between Democrats and Republicans. “Florida Democrats have been working tirelessly to organize in every community, and mobilize voters in every election,” Pérez said. “With this grant, we’re making sure that Florida Democrats have the tools they need to identify and connect with new Puerto Rican voters, and provide them with the support they need as they settle in the Sunshine State. ... The DNC is proud to partner with the Florida Democratic Party through this grant to expand our engagement in every single ZIP code.” More here.
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LULAC Fights Iowa’s New Voter ID Law
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against Iowa’s new voter ID law, saying it violates the state constitution and will make it tougher for some residents to vote. The lawsuit, filed by LULAC of Iowa and Iowa State University student Taylor Blair, is the first serious legal challenge to the law since its passage. The lawsuit alleges that the law's provisions are unclear and create unjustified restrictions on voters, which will block eligible voters from casting ballots. “Each of the challenged provisions burdens the right to vote directly and by complicating and slowing down elections administration in Iowa,” says the filing. While the law will go into full effect in 2019 -- when voters must have acceptable identification or they will have to cast a provisional ballot and return to show ID within a few days for their ballot to count -- the state is implementing a “soft rollout” starting with the June 5th primary. As of now, the law will remain in place for Tuesday’s voting. More here.
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Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) welcoming Lakeidra to DC for Foster Youth Shadow Day last week. | |  |
Former Los Angeles, CA Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa in Fresno, receiving support from community leaders. | |
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Finance Exec Takes Helm of LA Chamber of Commerce
María Salinas has been announced as the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce’s (LACC) new President and CEO. The Loyola Marymount University grad will be the first female leader in the organization’s history. She is currently the President and Founder of Salinas Consulting, a finance and accounting project management firm. Prior to launching her business in 2006, Salinas held financial leadership roles at The Walt Disney Company for nearly 11 years, as well as Ernst & Young LLP. In addition to serving as Director and former Chairwoman of ProAmérica Bank, Salinas is the Chair of the Board of Regents at her alma mater. She also serves on the Board of Directors at UnidosUS and on the Board of the Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine. “Throughout my career, I have used my financial expertise and business acumen to lead and create change and make a lasting impact both in business and in the community. I look forward to working alongside the talented staff and Board of Directors to continue to carry out the Chamber’s important mission of championing economic prosperity and quality of life for the Los Angeles region,” she said. Salinas begins at the organization on August 1st; current President and CEO Gary Toebben will retire on July 1st after leading the LACC for 12 years. More here.
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Weinberg Foundation Names New Program Director
Darius Graham has been named as the new Program Director for the Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Foundation. In his new role, the Florida A&M University grad, who also has a law degree from the University of California at Berkeley, will be responsible for refining and communicating the Foundation's place-based philanthropic strategy for Baltimore and collaborate with Baltimore's philanthropic, government, and business sectors, as well as neighborhoods and community groups. Prior to joining the Weinberg Foundation, Graham served as Director of Student Ventures at Johns Hopkins University, where he led entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives, including FastForward U and the Social Innovation Lab. Graham previously founded DC Social Innovation Project. He is a former Social Entrepreneur-In-Residence at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business, and served as a Mayor-appointed Commissioner on the DC Commission on National & Community Service. Graham began his career as an Associate with Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. More here.
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| FOMO Friday, June 1st, 12P: Congressional Black Associates presents “Political Communicators of Color: Navigating a Career on and Off the Hill.” 340 Cannon House Building. Tuesday, June 5th, 6:30P: The Esperanza Education Fund's 10th Annual Benefit Concert. They'll be presenting the Esperanza Award to UndocuBlack, an organization co-founded by one of their scholars, Jonathan Jayes-Green. Live music from Los Gallos Negros and Latin GRAMMY-winning artist Mireya Ramos. Click here for more information.
Thursday, June 7th: The Indian American Impact Project hosts their first Impact Summit 2018. Speakers include Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), CNN Senior Correspondent Manu Raju, Hoboken, NJ Mayor Ravi Bhalla, and more. Click here for more information.
Friday, June 8th - Saturday, June 9th: Summit 21. Speakers include CEO of Impact Strategies Angela Rye, Blavity Editor-in-Chief Lilly Workneh, and more. Atlanta Convention Center. Atlanta. Click here for more information.
Sunday, June 10th - Tuesday, June 12th: The ACLU Membership Conference. Speakers include Black Lives Matter Co-Founder Patrisse Cullors, Congressman John Lewis (D-GA), and Founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, AL Bryan Stevenson. Walter E. Washington Convention Center and Marriott Marquis, DC. Click here for more information.
Sunday, June 10th - Tuesday, June 12th: Mosaic Genius Conference. Speakers include Rashad Robinson, Executive Director Color Of Change, Jessica O. Matthews, Founder of Uncharted Power, and more. Lansburgh Theatre. 450 7th Street N.W. DC. Click here for more information.
Wednesday, June 13th - Sunday, June 17th: The 22nd Annual African American Film Festival. Albion Hotel South Beach. 1650 James Avenue, Miami Beach. Click here to register.
Saturday, June 16th, 6:30P: The March On Washington Festival hosts a fundraiser celebrating Black trailblazers in entertainment featuring acclaimed actress, singer, and philanthropist Sheryl Lee Ralph in a one-woman show of storytelling and song. Studio Theatre. 1501 14th Street N.W. Click here for more information.
Monday, June 18th - Tuesday, June 19th: Forbes’ Women’s Summit. Speakers include U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, Accompany Founder & CEO Amy Chang, HuffPost Editor-in-Chief Lydia Polgreen, and more. By invitation only. Click here to learn more.
Wednesday, June 20th: MALDEF's 2018 Chicago Awards Gala honoring IL state Representative Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernández (D), among others. The Hyatt Regency Chicago. 151 E. Upper Wacker Drive. Chicago, IL. Click here to register.
Thursday, June 21st - Sunday, June 24th: The Black Millennial Political Convention, which aims to increase engagement of Black millennials in the political sphere and shed a light on policy issues impacting black communities. This year’s theme is The Advocacy of Policy, Pipeline and Power for the People. Hyatt Regency, Crystal City, VA. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
Saturday, July 7th - Tuesday, July 10th: UnidosUS’ 2018 Annual Conference. Speakers include Ilia Calderón, Co-Anchor of Noticiero Univisión, Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation, Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League, Maria Teresa Kumar, President and CEO of Voto Latino, among others. Walter E. Washington Convention Center, DC. Click here to register.
Saturday, July 14 - Wednesday, July 18th: NAACP’s 109th Annual Convention. Henry B. González Convention Center. San Antonio, TX. Click here for more information.
Tuesday, July 17th - Wednesday, July 18th: The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) 2018 National Women’s Conference. Phoenix. Click here for more information.
Tuesday, July 17th - Saturday, July 21st: The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) 2018 National Convention and Expo. Phoenix. Click here for more information.
Friday, July 20 - Sunday, July 22nd: The 2nd Annual Black Campaign School, hosted by The Collective. Atlanta, GA. Click here for information.
Wednesday, July 18th - Saturday, 21st: NAHJ International Training Conference and Career Fair. InterContinental Miami Hotel. 100 Chopin Plaza, Miami, FL. Click here for more information.
Wednesday, August 1st - Sunday, August 5th: NABJ Annual Convention & Career Fair. Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. 400 Renaissance Drive, Detroit, MI. Click here for more information.
Monday, August 6th - Saturday, August 11th: 16th Annual Run&Shoot Filmworks Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival. Click here for more information.
Wednesday, August 8th - Saturday, August, 11th: AAJA National Convention. Marriott Marquis Houston. 1777 Walker St., Houston, TX. Click here for more information.
Friday, August 17th - Sunday, August 19th: Martha’s Vineyard celebrates Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s (D-CA) 20 years of service. Special guests include House Assistant Minority Leader Jim Clyburn (D-SC), Congressional Black Caucus Chair Cedric Richmond (D-LA), and more. Harbor View Hotel, 131 North Water Street Edgartown, MA. Kelley House, 23 Kelley Street Edgartown, MA. Click here for more information.
Tuesday, September 11th - Wednesday, September 12th: CHCI's Annual Leadership Conference. Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., DC. Click here for more information.
Thursday, September 13th: CHCI's 41st Annual Anniversary Awards Gala. Marriott Marquis Washington, DC. 901 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., DC. Click here for more information.
Wednesday, September 12th - Saturday, September 16th: Congressional Black Caucus Foundation 48th Annual Legislative Conference. Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Click here for more information.
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