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Jesse Jackson Leads Minority Suppliers to Japan to Meet Automakers

Jesse Jackson Leads Minority Suppliers to Japan to Meet Automakers

revjacksonwithjapanese

Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. is greeting by Toyota officials in Japan. Courtesy Photo: Rainbow/PUSH

Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from Target Market News

(TriceEdneyWire.com) The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition is leading a 13-person delegation to visit leading automotive companies in Japan this week. The delegation was set to meet with corporate leaders of Toyota, Nissan and Honda at their Japan headquarters  April3- 9, with the goal of building primary trade and business relationships with these automotive companies and establishing a significant Japanese network for U.S.-based, African- American suppliers and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

The delegation plans to meet with the companies' executive leadership, as well as, with their Purchasing and Research & Development Teams to discuss future business opportunities for US-based businesses.

The Rainbow PUSH Coalition's Automotive Project has a two-decade track record of engaging and forging partnerships between African American suppliers and dealers and the automotive industry. Their work has resulted in billions of dollars worth of contracts, dealerships, community engagement/investments, and advertising and marketing deals for African American businesses.  However, as the economic downturn took place in recent years, many African American businesses and communities were devastated by the automotive industries' decisions to cut budgets, suppliers, employee base and community support.

"Many African American and ethnic minority companies have not recovered or enjoyed the benefits of the auto industry's growth," said, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., founder and president, Rainbow PUSH Coalition.  "As the auto industry continues to bounce back, the issue of minority inclusion must be placed front and center on the industry's agenda. From dealers to suppliers, from marketing and advertising programs, to community reinvestment, minority communities and businesses must be empowered to grow as the auto industry revs up again."

The automotive industry plays a central role in the economic development of ethnic-minority communities in the U.S. While, the U.S. ethnic-minority communities are a growth investment opportunity for the automotive industry.

- In 2013, ethnic-minority consumers purchased 24 percent of vehicle sales, with African Americans making up 8 percent of those new vehicle sales.

- Ethnic-minority consumers led new vehicle purchases faster than the rest of the marketplace with a growth rate of 56 percent, with African Americans making up 33 percent of that growth rate.

- The top three brands for U.S. ethnic-minority consumers in 2013 was Toyota with 18 percent of the market share; Honda with 13 percent; and Nissan with 10 percent.

The Rainbow PUSH delegation will discuss a Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan based upon the Rainbow PUSH Automotive Diversity Scorecard issued in January of 2013. 

The Rainbow PUSH Automotive Diversity Scorecard provides a snapshot of each manufacturer's success at building and sustaining ethnic diversity and inclusion. The scorecard reflects the most visible indicators of a commitment to diversity by key stakeholders, minority constituencies and minority companies utilizing benchmarks and best practices. 

The scorecard's focus areas are: corporate leadership and HR; suppliers/procurement, dealers, advertising and marketing, philanthropy and community reinvestment.  The scorecard's basic purpose is to establish accountability and institutionalizing diversity within a company.

"The auto companies have a long way to go," says Rev. Jackson. "The scorecard reflects that minority dealers and suppliers, and advertising agencies are not equal partners with the auto companies.  We will seek a true reciprocal relationship between the auto companies and people, businesses and communities of color."

National Baptist Candidate Calls Black Church Too Quiet, Passive, Disconnected by Hazel Trice Edney

March 31, 2014

 

National Baptist Candidate Calls Black Church Too Quiet, Passive, Disconnected

By Hazel Trice Edney 

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Dr. R.B. Holmes announces his candidacy for presidency of the National Baptist Convention USA, inc.

(TriceEdneyWire.com) – Tallahassee, Fla. Pastor Dr. R. B. Holmes, a leading activist against hazing and the infamous “stand your ground" laws, has announced his candidacy for the presidency of the National Baptist Convention USA., Inc.

At a National Press Club announcement last week, Holmes called on the Black church to arise and take back its historic role in fighting social justice issues.

“The Black church has become too quiet, too passive, too disconnected when it comes to challenging policies programs and persons that degrade and devastate our people” said Holmes, flanked by dozens of church and community leaders. He also announced the formation of a 40-member National Pastors' Task Force to repeal and repair "stand your ground" laws.

“We have come here today to say to Black America and to the country that we as a people of color and faith are now ready to step forward to address some of the most urgent and critical needs impacting the Black community,” Holmes said at the National Press Club announcement March 25.  “We can and must lead the way to resolve and solve the present problems in our communities. We have come here also to launch my candidacy for the National Baptist Convention which is one of the nation’s oldest and largest religious organizations.”

Pastor of the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Tallahassee, Holmes is not new to the national stage. He is former president of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education. He also owns the Capital Outlook Newspaper, which is a member of the National Newspaper Publishers Association. Among others participating in the press conference were civil rights Attorney Benjamin Crump; Judge Glenda Hatchett, Baltimore Pastor Jamal-Harrison Bryant, the parents of the late Travon Martin, Jordan Davis, Michael Jiles, and Robert Champion.

“We stand with you because we understand the magnificent power of the potential collectively that is among us,” said Judge Hatchett. “And we’re going to manifest it in ways that you can’t measure.”

Holmes also indicates he intends to establish multi-denominational alliances. Bryant, from the African Methodist Episcopal Church, will be co-chairing the National Pastors’ Task Force, Holmes announced.

Bryant says he stands behind Dr. Holmes, largely because of his vision. Reflecting on the “historic Black church,” he said it “has always been on the front line, realizing that we are the voice for the voiceless. And so many who have become disconcerted and disenfranchised are really trying to discover has the Black church contracted laryngitis? Because we’ve not heard a voice,” Bryant said. “Historically it’s always been a Black Baptist preacher to correct America and put us back on track; it’s always been the voice of a Black Baptist preacher to speak truth to power uncompromising…unbossed and unbought.”

He added that Dr. Holmes is not “trapped behind denominational lines but caught within a unifying vision.”

Two years ago, Holmes joined with NNPA to announce a national initiative against hazing, which resulted in the National Anti-hazing/Anti-violence Task Force. His church is viewed by Black community leaders as a headquarters for rallies and organizing. The National Action Network’s Rev. Al Sharpton has been among speakers at the church. Holmes is president of NAN in Tallahassee.

The NBC election will take place Sept. 1-5, during the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. 134th Annual Convention in New Orleans. Current NBC President, Dr. Julius R. Scruggs, will not seek re-election. There are a total of six candidates running for the presidency.

The NBC, the largest Black Baptist convention, with millions of members from churches, district associations and state conventions world-wide, could broadly impact issues affecting African-Americans inside and outside the church.

“The National Baptist Convention must become more visible and vibrant as it relates to saving, sustaining and strengthening African-American families in particular and all families in general,” Holmes says. “Now is the time for renewed action. In our 12-point action plan, we will take the leadership to save our boys and girls, to build schools in our own neighborhood, to repeal and repair stand your ground laws across America in our own neighborhoods and to support the importance of historically Black colleges and universities.”

The controversial “Stand Your Ground” laws were catapulted to the forefront of America’s civil rights agenda in the February 26, 2012 shooting death of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman. Since then, other cases have heightened the issue, such as the killing of unarmed teenager Jordan Davis by Michael Dunn and the incarceration of Marissa Alexander who unsuccessfully pled “Stand Your Ground” when she fired a warning shot during an altercation with an abusive husband who had threatened her life. All three of these cases took place in Florida.

Holmes unveiled a 12-point action plan as his vision for the Baptist organization. The plan includes:

  • Transforming the Nashville-based National Baptist World Center into a full service ministry for member churches.
  • Helping churches to avoid foreclosure and bankruptcy.
  • Networking with civil rights and social justice organizations to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
  • Character building for athletes of the National Football League and National Basketball Association.
  • An urban and rural community development program that would include job training programs; faith-based schools; homes for the elderly; and first time home buyers.

His 12 points appear to focus on the church itself even as he establishes a national social justice agenda. In a statement, Holmes says: "Enough is enough! We need to take a deeper look at this legislation to make it abundantly clear that Stand Your Ground laws are not being used unfairly and unjustly, in reference to poor and minority communities.”

2014 Exonerations Expected to Outpace 2013 by Frederick H. Lowe

2014 Exonerations Expected to Outpace 2013

9 wrongful convictions involved cases with no crimes

By Frederick H. Lowe

Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from TheNorthStarNews.com

(TriceEdneywire.com) -- The National Registry of Exonerations, a joint project of the University of Michigan Law School and the Center on Wrongful Convictions at Northwestern University Law School, has reported that the pace of exonerations in 2014 is expected to easily surpass the total number in 2013.

So far this year, there have been 25 exonerations and if this pace continues, there will be 100 exonerations in 2014. Last year, there were a record-breaking 87 exonerations, the organization reported.

This year's exonerations include 11 overturned murder convictions and two overturned rape convictions. Six exonerations involved non-violent crimes, including perjury, theft, non-violent conspiracy and drug possession.

On average, the exoneration occurred 12 years after conviction, although in DNA cases the average time nearly doubles to 23 years.

Nine of the 25 known exonerations occurred in 2014's first quarter and more than 33 percent involved cases where no crime had occurred.

"No-crime cases make up and ever larger portion of exonerations in the National Registry, including 28 out of 87 of the exonerations in 2013," organization officials said.

Four of the exonerations in 2014's first quarter, or 16 percent, occurred in cases in which the defendants were convicted after pleading guilty. The rate of exonerations after a guilty plea has doubled since 2008.

Five of the exonerations were obtained through DNA evidence and 11 were obtained through cooperation with police and prosecutors.

In 2013, 47 percent of the exonerees were African-American; 40 percent were White and 11 percent were Hispanic, the Registry reported.

Zero-Tolerance Policies Turn Black Students into Zeroes by Frederick H. Lowe

Zero-Tolerance Policies Turn Black Students into Zeroes

African-American students are suspended from pre-school at the highest rates

By Frederick H. Lowe

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Black boys are suspended from  high school at a much
higher rate than other racial and ethnic groups.

Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from TheNorthStarNews.com

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - African-American boys and girls are suspended from the nation's public schools in greater numbers than any other racial and ethnic group even in preschool, according to U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights report released on Friday.

The U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Justice Department reported that African-American students were 16 percent of the student population during the 2011-2012 school year, but black boys received 20 percent of out-of-school suspensions and black girls received 12 percent.

There were 1.9 million single out-of-school suspensions and 1.55 million multiple out-of-school suspensions. Some 130,000 students were suspended during the school year.

Black boys and black girls were suspended more than whites, Hispanics, American Indian/Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders, Asians and students of more than two races, the report stated.

The information is detailed in a 24-page report illustrated with colorful charts and titled "Data Snapshot: School Discipline." The report covered the 2011-2012 school years with Civil Rights Collection Data from all 97,000 of the nation's public schools, 16,500 school districts, representing 49 million students.

This was the first time since 2000 that the Department of Education has received race, gender, and ethnic group data from all of the nation's public school districts, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan said during a news conference in Washington, D.C.

"The data released today reveals particular concern around discipline for our nation's young men of color, who are disproportionately affected by suspensions and zero-tolerance policies in schools," Duncan said.

Out-of-School Suspensions Benefit The Police

Out-of-school suspensions eventually benefit the police who are there to arrest people and the nation's prison system which locks them up, providing jobs to prison guards and administrators.

"Suspended students are less likely to graduate on time and more likely to be suspended again. They are also more likely to repeat a grade, dropout and become involved in the juvenile justice system," the report said.

Black students represent 27% of students referred to law enforcement and 31% of students subjected to a school-related arrest.

Morris Dees, founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Ala., wrote in an email to supporters that the law center has been "fighting the school-to-prison pipeline for years, bringing case after case to reform zero-tolerance policies that amount to a war on our nation's children."

Dees gave two examples of cases involving the Southern Poverty Law Center. The cases don't signal SPLC lawyers are representing Al Capone, John Dillinger or even Michael Corleone.

A school suspended a student in Mobile, Ala., for 50 days because his shirt was not tucked into his pants. To top that off, a 14 year old in Meridian, Miss., was locked up for several days because he had too many pockets on his pants, Dees said.

He noted that May 17 marks the 60th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that outlawed segregation. He added, however, that the recent data shows that even after six decades, traces of Jim Crow linger. "And it's devastating to African- American communities, who see their children's futures cast aside as they are earmarked for dropout and incarceration," he Dees said.

Out-of-school suspensions of black students begin with preschool. Only 40 percent of public school districts offer preschool programs.

Preschool Suspensions
African-American students represent 18 percent of preschool students but 42 percent of first-time suspensions and 48 percent of students suspended more than once.

"This critical report shows that racial disparities in school discipline policies are not only well-documented among older students, but actually begin during preschool," Holder said.

The study reported that African-American students represented 16 percent of the student population, but 32 percent to 42 percent of students suspended or expelled.

In comparison, white students represented 51 percent of the student population and 31 percent to 40 percent of students suspended or expelled, the study reported.

The report noted that African-Americans are suspended and expelled at a rate of three times greater than white students. On average, 4.6 percent of white students are suspended or expelled compared to 16.4 percent of African-American students.

Schools  often target Black boys for out-of-school suspension.
Black boys’ school experiences are often traumatic, causing high rates of depression, said Dr. Waldo E. Johnson Jr. of the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration.

The report lists out-of-school suspension rates for 49 states. West Virginia reported the highest out-of-suspension rate for African-American males at 32 percent. West Virginia was followed by Mississippi (27 percent), Illinois (27 percent), Massachusetts (26 percent), and District of Columbia (26 percent). North Carolina was the only state in a single digit for African-African male suspensions at 6 percent.

As for African-American girls, Wisconsin led the nation with a 21 percent out-of-school suspension rate. Wisconsin was followed by Michigan at 16 percent and Missouri was also at 16 percent.

North Dakota reported the lowest out-of-school suspension for African-American girls at 0.0 percent. Georgia did not report its out-of-school suspensions.

Find how your state, district and school rank among out-of-school suspensions at the searchable database.

Report: Black-White Graduation Gap Among NCAA Basketball Contenders Remains Wide by Zenitha Prince

Report: Black-White Graduation Gap Among NCAA Basketball Contenders Remains Wide
Schools Are ‘Treading Water,’ Says Author

By Zenitha Prince

 

Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from the Afro American Newspaper

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - Amid the excitement of March Madness comes sobering news: The disparity between Black and White graduation rates in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Male Basketball Tournament teams remains wide.

According to data released this month, the story of the stubborn performance gap among college athletes is spelled out in data detailing graduation success (GSR) and academic progress rates (APR).

Overall, the GSR for White male basketball student-athletes decreased slightly from 90 percent in 2013 to 89 percent in 2014, while the GSR for their African-American counterparts remained stagnant during the same period at 65 percent, creating a 1 percent drop in the achievement gap.

“There is not much good news to report as almost every category examined remained the same or got worse,” said Richard Lapchick, director of The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) at the University of Central Florida (UCF), which compiles the data, in a statement.

“The most troubling statistic in our study is the continuing large disparity between the GSR of white basketball student-athletes and African-American basketball student-athletes,” Lapchick added. “It is simply not acceptable that in 2014, 38 percent of the men’s teams had a GSR disparity of greater than 30 percent between white student-athletes and African-American student-athletes, and 47 percent had a GSR disparity of greater than 20 percent.

“This year we seemed to be treading water instead of moving ahead,” Lapchick said in a statement.

In an interview with the AFRO, Lapchick, the chief author of the report, said graduation rates for African-American student-athletes have been increasing since 2005 when penalties for subpar academic performance were put in place by the NCAA.

“But the graduation rates for White students have also increased. So the gap between African-Americans and White students remains large,” he said.

Among teams in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament, the imbalance is more pronounced. In 2014 there is a 43 percent gap compared to a 27 percent in 2013, according to the data.

There is significantly less disparity between White and African-American female student-athletes – a 5 percent White-Black gap in graduation rates overall and a 13 percent White-Black GSR gap among Sweet 16 teams.

Lapchick argued that racial disparity rates need to be included in teams’ academic progress rate, a metric that includes graduation, retention and other factors. The APR was developed in 2004 by the NCAA to hold teams responsible for the academic performance and retention of their student-athletes. For 2014-15 championships, teams must earn a 930 four-year average APR or a 940 average over the most recent two years to participate in championships.

In 2015-16 and beyond, teams must earn a four-year APR of 930—the equivalent of a 50 percent graduation rate—to compete in post-season play. If schools fail to meet APR standards they can be blocked from participating in tournaments, penalized with decreased scholarships or otherwise.

“The takeaway for me is that the NCAA needs to include in the measure of Academic Progress rates the disparity between African-American and White student-athletes and if there is a significant gap, that should be part of the penalty,” Lapchick told the AFRO. “We think this would be an incentive for schools to work towards narrowing the gap.”

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