The Beat Highlights the Diversity that Leads the Nation's Capital
The Beat Highlights the Diversity that Leads the Nation's Capital
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July 11, 2017
Michelle Obama Heads to the ESPYs, Jimmy Gómez Names a Legislative Director, The Rock Has a Presidential Campaign Committee, and NCLR is UnidosUS
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It’s seriously only Tuesday, yet we seem to have had enough news break to last us a month. Trump administration officials made their rounds the last 24 hours defending Donald Trump Jr’s meeting with Natalia Veselnitskaya, the Russian lawyer who says she was summoned to Trump Tower and asked if she had information on the Hillary Clinton campaign. No, fam, this isn’t Scandal or House of Cards -- this is real life. And panic sets in on the Hill as Senate GOP leaders are trying to round up support for their healthcare bill with the vote scheduled for next week. With only two votes to spare, the heat is on. A revised draft of the bill is expected as early as Thursday, and the CBO could score it as soon as Monday. Oh and get this! New data from the Pew Research Center shows that most Republicans think colleges are bad for the country and the vast majority think the news media is too. Huh?? Not the good ole’ fashioned pre-Trump Republicans we know. Remember the days of yesteryear when we could have a healthy intellectual exchange of our ideological differences? Sigh ... And in some tragic news, a Marine Corps transport plane went down north of Jackson on Monday, killing all 16 soldiers on board.  The cause of the crash was unclear. Here’s what we’ve got for you this Tuesday:
  • NCLR will become UnidosUS.
  • Michelle Obama heads to the ESPYs.
  • Chicago's Southside makes demands of the Barack Obama Presidential Center.
  • DNC investing serious dough in grassroots and down ballot races.
  • Quad Caucus wants answers from ICE.
  • CODEL takes members Ami Bera (D-CA), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) to Jordan.
  • Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY) champions diversity with Defense approps amendments.
  • Congressmen Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Rubén Gallego (D-AZ) target Trump's bidness interests.
  • Run The Rock 2020 movement lives on.
  • Calif. legislature wants lobbyists to show their diversity receipts.
  • Latino Victory Project upset at Dems who supported “Kate’s Law.”
  • Bill to grant green cards to undocumented 9/11 volunteers introduced.
  • 15 states and DC join Hawaii’s challenge to Trump’s travel ban.
  • See below! We've got jobs jobs jobs ... and don’t forget to look on our website.
  • The March on Washington Film Festival kicks off this week. See FOMO below for tickets.

Congressman Pete Aguilar (D-CA) speaking last week with student leaders from community colleges across CA as part of the Puente Project.
Compton (CA) Mayor Aja Brown was sworn in for her second term last month.
Michelle Obama to Appear at the ESPYs
ESPN has chosen Michelle Obama to help posthumously honor Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver. The former first lady is presenting the Arthur Ashe Courage Award to Shriver’s son, Timothy Shriver, during ABC’s broadcast of the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles on Wednesday night. Timothy Shriver chairs the Special Olympics, a sporting event his mother founded in the late 1960s to help empower people with intellectual disabilities. Mrs. Obama says in a statement that Eunice Shriver’s work to promote their inclusion and acceptance was inspiring and changed the lives of countless young athletes. Eunice Kennedy Shriver died in 2009. The Courage Award is given annually to someone who embodies the spirit of its namesake, tennis legend and longtime human rights campaigner Arthur Ashe. More here.
Chicago Residents Make Demands of Obama Presidential Center
Five Chicago community groups have signed on to the #GetItInWriting campaign, lobbying for nearby residents to see dividends from the Obama Presidential Center. Their wish list for community benefits includes assistance for those who seek new jobs, improved schools, and affordable housing in the community. Meanwhile, at least four other such agreements are in the works across the South and West sides, where residents fear gentrification will creep in. At least 80 percent of the 2,000-plus jobs promised by Obama when the center opens should go to residents of the South Side, they proposed. Slots should be set aside for youth, seniors, ex-offenders and other under-employed populations. And no job should pay less than $15 an hour. More here.
Quad Caucuses Want Answers from ICE
Leaders of the House Quad-Caucuses sent a letter to Thomas D. Homan, the acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, requesting that data about detainees and detention centers be publicly available online and regularly updated. "Transparency is critical both because of ICE's long history of failing to safeguard the health and safety of women, men and children, and because the public has a right to know how taxpayer dollars are being spent," wrote CBC Chair Cedric Richmond (D-LA), CHC Chair Michelle Luján Grisham (D-NM), CAPAC Chair Judy Chu (D-CA), and Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Keith Ellison (D-MN), and Marc Pocan (D-WI). “Enhanced transparency is critical given that ICE privately-operated detention centers have poor health outcomes.” Read the full letter here.
Comedian Cristela Alonzo does it for the culture.
Congressman André Carson (D-IN) helping Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in his home state celebrate their 100th anniversary on Sunday.
NCLR Becoming UnidosUS
The National Council of La Raza, will change its name to "UnidosUS," or "United U.S." President Janet Murguía said the change was in the works before Trump came into office, but fits the new strategy of collective resistance. The largest Latino civil rights organization in the U.S. is changing its name to be less polarizing and more inclusive as it steps up its battle against what it calls anti-immigrant policies by the Trump administration. Latinos have more at stake than in the past decade, including battles over healthcare access and immigration, Murguía said. "I think this is viewed as an opportunity and we see it as an opportunity to strengthen our organization, broaden our reach and expand our growth," she said. "And that's going to be important as we see the challenges that we're facing at this particular time." More here.
Noh Says Yes to Gómez
In an email to friends, Andrew Noh announced that he has joined incoming Congressman Jimmy Gómez (D-CA) as his new Legislative Director. Noh was previously a Legislative Assistant in the office of Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (D-CA), handling healthcare, labor, social security, and foreign affairs, among other issues. Noh came to DC in 2008 and has worked for a wide-range of executive agencies, private companies, and consulting firms. Congrats, Andrew!
Clinton and Obama Alumna Joins NY City Council Campaign
The Hillary Clinton campaign’s former Director of Hispanic Media has joined the Ronnie Cho for NY City Council District 2 campaign as Communications Director and Senior Advisor. Paola Ramos -- who worked on Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign, and is famed journalist Jorge Ramos’ daughter -- identifies as queer. Cho, another Obama alumnus, moved to Manhattan in 2014 after serving three years as Obama’s Associate Director of Public Engagement. If he wins, he would be one of the first Korean Americans to ever serve on the New York City Council.
Power Summit speakers Ivan Ceja and Justino Mora winning the Agent of Change award last week for their work at UndocuMedia.
Congressman Henry Cuéllar (D-TX) speaking at the LULAC convention last week about immigration, healthcare, education reform, and trade.
Members Travel to Jordan
Members Ami Bera (D-CA), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) were part of a delegation of policymakers and leaders from the public and private sectors who traveled to Jordan with the global poverty-fighting organization CARE to see the positive reach and scope of U.S. investments and partnerships in the Middle Eastern country. Jordan is home to an estimated 1.4 million refugees, one of the largest populations of displaced people in the world, where a majority of refugees are women and children and more than half are under the age of 18. The delegation visited Zaatari Refugee Camp, the largest camp in Jordan, where more than 80,000 refugees from Syria reside. “This trip has reinforced my belief that the United States plays a vital role in assisting refugees and women around the world,” said Bera. Learn more about their trip here.
Meng Champions Diversity with Defense Appropriations Amendments
The House Appropriations Committee included three of Congresswoman Grace Meng’s (D-NY) initiatives in the Defense Appropriations and Legislative Branch Appropriations bills that were recently approved by the committee. The Defense appropriations bill accounts for half of all U.S. discretionary spending, and this year’s bill provides $658.1 billion for Department of Defense operations, readiness activities, and quality of life programs for servicemembers and their families. One provision encourages outreach and recruiting programs focused on increasing officer accessions from Minority Serving Institutions. Another requires the Secretary of the VA to establish a program that encourages members of the armed forces serving as health professionals to pursue jobs with the Veterans Health Administration upon their discharge or separation from the military. The third encourages the Capitol Visitor Center to explore the feasibility of making listening devices available in additional foreign languages. See more here.
Gallego and Lieu Offer Amendments to Defense Bill that Target Trump’s Business Interests
An amendment to the fiscal 2018 National Defense Authorization Act from Congressman Ted Lieu (D-CA) would require that no Defense Department funds “be used to conduct business, including the purchase of hotel rooms or conference space, with any entity owned by or significantly controlled by the President or a member of the President’s immediate family.” Congressman Rubén Gallego (D-AZ), meanwhile, offered an amendment that requires the Office of Government Ethics to review security clearance applications submitted by Trump’s family members. The review would determine “whether they have substantial commercial relationships with foreign enterprises or financial institutions and, if so, whether a relative should be ineligible for a security clearance as a consequence of such a relationship.” More here.
Latino USA anchor María Hinojosa at the Aspen Ideas Festival last month.
Congressman Will Hurd (R-TX) speaking at Dropbox last week about the power of technology to make government more responsive and empower citizens.
Getting The Rock Rolling Toward 2020
A campaign committee has formally filed to draft actor and former WWE wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson for president. “Run the Rock 2020,” the name of the official organization, was filed on behalf of Johnson with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) on Sunday. The paperwork was filed by a man named Kenton Tilford under a West Virginia address. Tilford's connection to Johnson and his motivation for filing the organization is not clear. Johnson has long joked about a White House bid, playing a buff Obama on Saturday Night Live and standing in front of podium labeled “The Rock Johnson 2020” on the show in May. But he revealed earlier this year that his run is “a real possibility.” More here.
Staff Attorney, Lawyers Network
(DC or NYC)

The Center for Reproductive Rights is looking for a Staff Attorney, Lawyers Network who will play an integral role in the Center’s newest program within the US Program team.
Direct Response Advertising Specialist (DC)
Revolution Messaging is seeking a full-time Direct Response Advertising Specialist to manage digital direct response campaigns.
How many times have we heard the excuse, “We want to interview diverse candidates but we just don’t know where to look?” The Beat DC says: problem solved! Our readership is largely comprised of diverse talent ranging from senior Capitol Hill staff and administration officials to C-suite executives and advocacy leaders. Advertise your job with us! If you’re interested, send an email to brenda@thebeatdc.com
California Legislature Probes Lobbying Firms on Their Diversity
The heads of six caucuses in the California legislature are asking lobbying firms to provide them with demographic data -- including race, ethnicity, gender, and openly gay or lesbian orientation -- on their employees. Leaders of the Legislative Asian Pacific Islander, Black, Jewish, Latino, LGBT, and Women’s caucuses provide the number of members in their own groups. They ask private companies to help with the “worthy cause” of making California’s workforce representative of its residents. The request, which lawmakers said is intended to expand the conversation about cultural diversity in the Capitol workforce, elicited a range of responses from Sacramento lobbyists. Some applauded the caucuses for forcing a male-dominated industry to think about its workforce and hiring practices. Others consider the request government overreach and expressed concern about how the data could be used against them if their employees aren’t diverse enough for the caucus chairs. Imagine if DC did this? What would some lobby firms in the nation’s capital look like? More here.
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) hosting a Summer of Canvass last week in her home state.
Roland Martin repping the black and gold in honor of the Alpha Phi Alpha convention in Baltimore this week.
DNC Putting Down Serious Money for 2018
The Democratic National Committee is playing catch up to its GOP counterparts in fundraising, pouring money into new grassroots organizing for state parties, launching the State Partnership Program. “For too long, we poured our resources into races at the top of the ticket instead of organizing at the grassroots and building a deep bench of talent,” DNC chair Tom Pérez told the WaPo. “This unprecedented investment in our state parties is the first major step in our effort to get back to basics and rebuild the Democratic Party from the ground up.” Part of the funds to state parties will include giving a $10,000 monthly grant starting in October and running through the 2018 midterms. The DNC is also launching a State Party Innovation Fund with $10 million earmarked for organizing and other initiatives. More here.
Temporary Director for the Indian Health Service Named
On Monday, The Beat highlighted a WSJ piece which took an in-depth look at the Indian Health Service (IHS) and its failure to serve the Native American population. Now, the Trump administration has named yet another temporary director for the Indian Health Service amid ongoing scrutiny of the beleaguered agency. Michael D. Weahkee, a citizen of the Pueblo of Zuni, was named “acting” director in June. He is the third person in the last two years to serve in the post. Trump has yet to name a permanent leader for the agency, whose last director left in June 2015. Aides in the Senate have been told to prepare for a nominee this summer. More here.
Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) at the Haitian American SDA church in Brooklyn last week.
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) visiting old friends at Miami’s El Novillo restaurant last week.
Latino Victory Project’s Cristóbal Alex Calls Out House Dems Who Supported “Kate’s Law”
The Latino Victory Project is upset with several House Democrats who voted for “Kate’s Law,” a bill that has become a focal point of the Republican push for tougher immigration enforcement. Of the 24 House Democrats who voted for Kate's Law last month, six -- Kyrsten Sinema (AZ), Stephanie Murphy (FL), Charlie Crist (FL), Tom O'Halleran (AZ), Ann McLane Kuster (NH), and Josh Gottheimer (NJ) -- had received campaign contributions from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), who vehemently opposed the bill. "I think it's shameful that these members, this handful of Democrats, decided to stand with Donald Trump instead of with Latinos and immigrants — instead of their own constituents," said Cristóbal Alex, president of the Latino Victory Project, a group that campaigns for Hispanic candidates. "BOLD PAC is a major political powerhouse and one of our closest partners ... I'm dismayed and I can only imagine how upset members of BOLD PAC can be, given they worked so hard to get these resources," he added. Reminder: not even Kate’s family supports “Kate’s Law.” More here.
Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) speaking with local leaders and residents about how to rebuild Alabama following the devastating tornadoes in Fairfield and Birmingham last month.
Political cartoonist and creator of La Cucaracha and Bordertown, Lalo Alcaraz receives the Rubén Salazar Award at the 2017 NCLR Awards Monday night.
Velázquez, Espaillat Help Intro Bill To Give Green Cards to Undocumented 9/11 Volunteers
New York’s congressional delegation has proposed protections against deportation for undocumented immigrants who helped after the attacks on September 11th. The 9/11 Immigrant Worker Freedom Act, which would grant green cards to undocumented immigrants who were part of the rescue, recovery and cleanup efforts after the terrorist attacks, will be introduced in the House this week facing an uphill battle with a Republican-controlled Congress and with the Trump administration. The bill currently does not have support from any Republican members of Congress. Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), a co-sponsor of the bill, said: “During the darkness of that day, we saw New Yorkers rally together to care for one another and respond to the attack. Immigrants, documented and undocumented, were among those that worked on ‘the pile,’ searching for survivors and helping our city recover.” The bill will be introduced by Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY); in addition to Velázquez, co-sponsors include Congressmen Adriano Espaillat and Jerrold Nadler, both of Manhattan. More here.
Legislator Insists Border Wall a Go or Govt Shutdown Possible
The border wall issue keeps cropping up. This time, it’s House Freedom Caucus Chair Congressman Mark Meadows (R-NC) saying there could be a government shutdown if money for the wall along the U.S.-Mexico border isn’t included in a spending bill. Meadows said the president could even veto a spending bill if the House passed it without money for the wall. “My conversations with the president have led me to believe that there is nothing less than a full and total commitment on his part to only sign into law a funding bill that actually allows for us to start construction of a border wall on our southern border,” Meadows said. More here from The Hill.
Brittany Packnett wishing WaPo's Wesley Lowery a happy birthday on Sunday.
Newlyweds NBC New York reporter Jummy Olabaanji and Buzzfeed's Darren Sands. The couple wed on June 24th.
DHS Delays Rule Allowing Entrepreneurs into the Country
The Trump administration is delaying a rule that would have made it easier for foreign investors and entrepreneurs to enter the U.S. The International Entrepreneur Rule, which was scheduled to go into effect on July 17th, has been delayed until March 14, 2018. The notice on their website reads, “This delay will provide DHS with an opportunity to obtain comments from the public regarding a proposal to rescind the rule” in light of Trump’s executive order from earlier this year on immigration enforcement. More here.
15 States Join Hawaii’s Challenge to Travel Ban Enforcement
Fifteen states and DC on Monday joined Hawaii's renewed effort to broaden the scope of exceptions to Trump's executive order on travel. The states are urging a federal judge in Honolulu to rule that the Trump administration wrongly excluded grandparents and other relatives from the list of close family members who can still get visas to travel to the U.S. during the 90 days that the executive order is in force. A federal appeals court dismissed Hawaii's first effort last Friday but indicated a way for the state to try again. Hawaii argues that the Supreme Court drew a line between visa applicants overseas who have no family connection to people in the U.S. and those who have relatives here. The government is enforcing that ruling too narrowly, the state contends. Led by New York, the 16 others said that when people overseas consider attending a U.S. school or accepting a U.S. job, they consider whether their relatives will be able to visit them. "The artificially narrow line drawn by the federal government will thus likely impair the ability of institutions in the states not only to recruit but also to retain individuals from the affected countries who do not wish to endure the hardship of disruption and separation from family members," they said in a friend-of-the-court brief. More here.
Sarah Salamanca winning the Agents of Change award for her work with the Dreamers Road Map last week.
Rev. Al Sharpton visiting a class at NAN Newark Tech World, a facility where computer courses are offered for free.
Puerto Rico Names Full Congressional Delegation
Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló on Monday named three Republicans to the Democracy Commission -- the congressional delegation that will seek to be seated as part of the territory's push for statehood. Former Gov. Luis Fortuño, a fiscal conservative and longtime proponent of statehood, will join the commission. Fortuño is a prominent figure in the national Republican Party, with deep connections on Capitol Hill. The two other Republicans named Monday are retired Army Maj. Gen. Félix Santoni and Puerto Rico Republican Party National Committeewoman Zoraida Fonalledas. Last week, Rosselló named three Democrats to the commission, former governors Carlos Romero Barceló and Pedro Rosselló -- the governor's own father -- and former Puerto Rico Senate President Charles Rodríguez. The seventh member of the bipartisan committee is an independent, former MLB star Iván "Pudge" Rodríguez. They face a very steep battle, but the delegates will present themselves in Washington, asking to be seated as voting members of Congress under an act of accession. More here.
FOMO 

Today, 9A: The last day of the National Council of La Raza's (NCLR) annual convention. Phoenix, AZ. Click here for more information.

Today, 4P: The swearing-in ceremony for Congressman-elect Jimmy Gómez (D-CA). 1226 Longworth HOB.

Today, 7P: The BOLD PAC 7th annual Pig Roast, including a reception honoring incoming CHC member Congressman Jimmy Gómez (D-CA). 19 D Street, S.E. For more information or to RSVP, contact Amy Strathdee or Anna Kain at 202.271.9682 or AnnaK@StrathdeeGroup.com

Wednesday, July 12th - 16th: The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will host their 94th convention in Baltimore, MD. The convention theme is "The Urgency of Now." Click here for more information.

Wednesday, July 12th - 15th: The Rainbow PUSH Coalition holds its 46th annual international convention. Click her for more information and to register.

Thursday, July 13th - 22nd: The March on Washington Film Festival. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

Thursday, July 13th, 5:30P: The Congressional Hispanic Staff Association co-hosts the Hispanic Employee Council for Foreign Affairs Agencies' (HECFAA) State Department and USAID Chapters Happy Hour. Mackey's Pub, 1306 G Street, N.W.

Thursday, July 13th - Sunday, July 16th: The 14th Annual SABA North America Convention, DC. Click here for more info and to register.

Tuesday, July 18th, 9A: The launch of the National Association of Diverse Consultants, 
NADC is the largest association of diverse political and public affairs professionals. National Press Club, 529 14th Street, N.W. 13th floor. 

Tuesday, July 18th, 7PCongressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) sponsors the fifth annual Hip Hop on the Hill. Toro Toro, 1300 I Street, N.W. Click here to purchase tickets.

Tuesday, July 18th - July 23rd: The Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. holds its 83rd Grand Chapter Meeting in Orlando, FL. Click here for more information and to register. 

Wednesday, July 19th, 6P: The Washington Government Relations Group and the Embassy of Canada host the 8th Annual Tin Cup Awards. 501 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Click here for more information. 

Thursday, July 20th, 9A: The Washington International Trade Association sponsors its NAFTA Series kickoff event. Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. Hill Staff: contact Diego Anez at 202.312.1600 or danez@wita.org to reserve your seat.

Saturday, July 22nd - 26th: The NAACP holds its 108th annual convention in Baltimore, MD. Click here for more information and to register.

Wednesday, July 26th - 29th: The National Urban League holds its annual convention in St. Louis, MO. Click here for more information and to register.

Wednesday, July 26th - Friday, July 28th: ColorComm, Women of Color in Communications, holds its 2017 conference in Miami, FL, featuring keynote speaker Whoopi GoldbergClick here to register

Saturday, August 5th, 3P: The Congressional Hispanic Staff Association hosts a tailgate before the DC United v. Toronto FC game. For more info, email James Hauser at iph86@georgetown.edu

Wednesday, August 9th - 13th: The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) holds its annual convention and career fair in New Orleans. Click here for more information and to register.  

Wednesday, August 16th - 20th: The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance holds its 14th biennial convention in Anaheim, CA. Click here for more information. 

Friday, August 18th: The deadline to apply for the Poynter Institute and the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) 2017 Leadership Academy for Diversity in Digital Media, to be held Dec. 3rd - 8th in St. Petersburg, FL. The tuition-free program trains journalists of color to work in digital media. Click here for more information and to apply

Friday, August 18th - 20th: A weekend on Martha's Vineyard with Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) and special guests Congressmen James Clyburn (D-SC), Cedric Richmond (D-LA), Richard Neal (D-MA), and Congresswomen Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE). For more information and to RSVP, contact Mariko Bennett: mariko@cocobproductions.com or call 301.741.3443. 

Monday, August 28th, 9A: The 2017 Black Political Power Summit, to illustrate the possibilities, challenges and plans to capitalize on both the historic political opportunities and dire economic and civil rights challenges the Black community faces during the 2018 and 2020 political cycles. Hosted by The Collective. For more information, contact Quentin James: quentin@collectivepac.org 

Thursday, September 7th - 9th: The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), the Native American Journalists Association, and the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) sponsor the Excellence in Journalism 2017 conference in Anaheim, CA. Click here for more details and to register.

Sunday, September 10th: Former First Lady Michelle Obama speaks at the Beth El Synagogue in St. Louis Park. MN about her years in the White House. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets

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