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CNN’s decision is an affront to the essence of press freedom and diversity. In a city where Black voices and perspectives are …

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WATCH State of The Power Tour in NOLA

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The State of the People Power Tour hosts New Orleanians at Rock of Ages Baptist Church.

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Black Press

Pope Leo XIV: A Chicago Native Makes Vatican History

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — For the first time in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, an American has been elected pope.

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Pope Leo XIV preparing to make his speech from the balcony. (Wikimedia Commons)
Pope Leo XIV preparing to make his speech from the balcony. (Wikimedia Commons)

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

Reaction continues to pour in after the selection of the first American Pope.

Politicians, advocates, and others have weighed in on the history-making moment where, for the first time in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, an American has been elected pope. Cardinal Robert Prevost, a native of Chicago, emerged as the conclave’s choice to succeed Pope Francis and will now be known as Pope Leo XIV. “The first American Pope has been named at a critical time for the Catholic Church, and for the world,” Damon T. Hewitt, the President and Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, told Black Press USA. “People across this nation and worldwide are in need of compassionate moral leadership,” stated Hewitt, who was raised a Catholic in New Orleans. “That, plus the sheer force of will of people of conscience might be the only thing that can counterbalance the ugly trend of racism, xenophobia, and authoritarianism that is plaguing our planet.” New York City Mayor Eric Adams also celebrated the new pontiff. “Catholicism plays a rich spiritual and cultural role in the lives of billions of people, offering hope, guidance, love, and support,” Adams stated. “Whether it’s attending Sunday Mass, praying before dinner, or drawing inspiration from the Bible, Catholicism has enriched the lives of people everywhere, and I know that many — including myself — will look to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for leadership and inspiration. I know that I join people of faith from all around the world today in praying for the Pope.”

The announcement came from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, where Cardinal Dominique Mamberti followed centuries-old tradition, delivering the proclamation in Latin: “Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum — Habemus Papam!” (“I announce to you news of great joy — We have a pope!”) Prevost, 69, succeeds Pope Francis, who led the Church from 2013 until his death last month. His election followed a conclave that included high-profile contenders such as 76-year-old Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana and 65-year-old Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Reactions poured in as word of the historic election spread. “Wow,” tweeted Tacuma Roeback, managing editor of the Chicago Defender. “The first pope from America was born in Chicago.”  Former President George W. Bush called the election of the new Pope “a historic and hopeful moment for Catholics in America and for the faithful around the world.”  “We join those praying for the success of Pope Leo XIV as he prepares to lead the Catholic Church, serve the neediest, and share God’s love,” Bush stated.

Born on September 14, 1955, Prevost entered the Order of Saint Augustine in 1977. He took his solemn vows in 1981 and was ordained a priest the following year. He studied theology in Chicago and earned a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Saint Thomas Aquinas University in Rome. His early ministry took him to Peru, where he worked in missions and served in various ecclesiastical and educational roles. He returned to the U.S. in 1999 to become provincial before the Augustinian province based in Chicago and was later elected prior general of the Order worldwide. In 2014, Pope Francis appointed him apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, and elevated him to bishop. He served as bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 and held multiple leadership roles in the Peruvian Episcopal Conference.

Cardinal Prevost was tapped by Pope Francis in 2023 to serve as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. He was made a cardinal in September 2023 and has served on several key Vatican dicasteries, including those for Evangelization, Doctrine of the Faith, and Clergy. Pope Leo XIV is expected to continue Pope Francis’s reform-minded agenda, which focuses on inclusion, social justice, and pastoral care. “He is the most eminent and Reverend Lord Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, who has taken the name Leo the Fourteenth,” Cardinal Mamberti declared from the balcony.

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Black Press

PRESS ROOM: The Heart of the Matter Campaign Launches National Call to Action to Fight Heart Disease – #1 Killer in Haiti

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — “Ensuring the fundamental right of healthcare is critical to restoring hope, pride, and dignity to the Haitian people,”

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The Heart of the Matter Campaign Flyer
The Heart of the Matter Campaign Flyer

NEW YORK, NY – 08 May 2025 – Dr. Jeffrey Gardere, better known as “Dr. Jeff,” America’s psychologist,” has joined forces with Sheila Thorne, President & CEO, Multicultural Healthcare Marketing Group, LLC (MHMG) and Sabine Poisson, President, Sabine Poisson, Inc. to launch a national campaign to fight heart disease in Haiti. “When Sheila Thorne invited me to join her team to address this humanitarian crisis in Haiti, I enthusiastically accepted,” said Dr. Jeff, a highly sought-after TV commentator on health issues, mental health expert, prolific author, and respected academician of Haitian descent. “Now is the time—not just for communities of African or Haitian descent, but for all who hold faith, hope, and compassion close to their hearts—to transform words into action,” continued Dr. Jeff, Honored Chair of The Heart of the Matter campaign. “Let us come together, in unity and love, to bring healing—of mind, body, and spirit—to our brothers and sisters in Haiti who are in urgent need,” continued Dr. Jeff. “Ensuring the fundamental right of healthcare is critical to restoring hope, pride, and dignity to the Haitian people,” added Jude Elie, Haitian Presidential candidate, and enthusiastic supporter of The Heart of the Matter Campaign.

Haiti has endured constant challenges, natural disasters, and civil and political violence reaching unprecedented levels over the last three years. Heart disease now accounts for approximately 27% of all deaths in Haiti, compared to 6.7% for HIV. High blood pressure in Haitians is five times higher than levels in the U.S. Heart failure is the most prevalent cardiovascular event in Haiti, estimated at 11.6% compared to 0.83% worldwide. “Sabine Poisson, Haitian-born and a French expatriate, is fiercely committed to honoring the strength and resilience of the Haitian people while celebrating the richness of Haitian culture, its contributions, and its independence since 1804. Her passion inspired our collaboration on The Heart of the Matter campaign—an initiative to combat heart disease in Haiti,” stated Sheila Thorne, Honored Co-Chair of The Heart of the Matter Campaign, fluent in French and a nationally recognized multicultural health educator and marketing expert. “Dr. Jeff and Sheila bring their passion, decades of experience, knowledge, and unwavering commitment to achieving quality healthcare for marginalized communities,” added Sabine Poisson. “I was honored that they agreed to Chair and Co-Chair the Heart of the Matter Campaign,” continued Poisson.

The inaugural event of The Heart of the Matter Campaign will take place on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, from 6–9 PM at L’Escale, located in the iconic Delamar Harbor Hotel in Greenwich, Connecticut.

The evening will highlight the extraordinary work of internationally renowned Dr. Jean William Pape, Howard and Carol Holtzmann Professor of Clinical Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, member of the World Health Organization’s Science Council, and Founder and Executive Director of Les Centres GHESKIO in Haiti, along with pioneering co-founder and Deputy Director Dr. Marie-Marcelle Deschamps. Since its inception, GHESKIO Centers in Haiti, a non-governmental organization, has been supported by Weill Cornell, Fondation Mérieux, Luon France, and Analysis Group by Pierre Cremieux, alongside the Ministry of Health (MOH) and other national and international institutions, as a model of public-private–international partnership. For over 40 years, GHESKIO has partnered with Haiti’s Ministry of Health to design and scale national models for HIV/AIDS and TB care. In recent years, GHESKIO, in collaboration with Weill Cornell Medicine, launched the GHESKIO Cardiovascular Clinic and Research Unit to address rising rates of hypertension, kidney disease, diabetes, stroke, and heart failure across a 14-site network of public and private hospitals in Haiti.

A portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the GHESKIO CVD Clinic to support the purchase of critical diagnostic and imaging equipment, medications, and laboratory supplies. MHMG, LLC and Sabine Poisson Inc. cordially invite you to join us on May 20th at the Delamar Harbor Hotel in Greenwich, Connecticut for an extraordinary evening in support of The Heart of the Matter Campaign.

RSVP: http://www.sheilathorne.com

For More Information: 

Contact: Rose Grady – rgradymhmg@outlook.com  | Mobile: (862) 216-8251

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Black Press

Lawmakers Fight to Save DOJ Office That Eases Racial Tensions

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Trump administration rollbacks targeting civil rights programs and public safety grants, House Democrats are demanding the Justice Department stop any attempt to dismantle the Community Relations Service

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Silver sign of Department of Justice on a classical concrete wall with plants as foreground. Illustration of the concept of enforcement of federal laws
Silver sign of Department of Justice on a classical concrete wall with plants as foreground. Illustration of the concept of enforcement of federal laws

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

Faced with a wave of Trump administration rollbacks targeting civil rights programs and public safety grants, House Democrats are demanding the Justice Department stop any attempt to dismantle the Community Relations Service—a small but historically vital office often referred to as “America’s Peacemaker.” Created under Title X of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Community Relations Service was designed to help resolve racial and ethnic tensions and restore peace in communities facing conflict. For over 60 years, the CRS has worked behind the scenes through confidential dialogue, mediation, and training—most recently in cities such as Minneapolis, Akron, and Rohnert Park following police shootings and public unrest. On Wednesday, more than two dozen House Democrats sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi urging her to preserve the office. “We strongly urge you to abandon any plans of dissolving the work of the Community Relations Service,” lawmakers wrote, calling the effort to shut it down “a dangerous step backward.” The signers include Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia, the ranking Democrat on the House Education and the Workforce Committee. While the Trump Justice Department has not confirmed plans to eliminate CRS, an internal memo reviewed last month revealed discussions about shutting down the office, citing shifts in federal priorities. The possible move echoes earlier attempts during Trump’s first term to defund and downsize the agency.

This latest threat comes as the Trump administration implements sweeping cuts across the Department of Justice. A recent Center for American Progress report revealed that more than 365 DOJ grants have already been terminated this year. Those grants supported gun violence prevention, victim services, reentry programs, and public safety initiatives in communities nationwide. “These programs were working—and they were saving lives,” Esther Franco-Payne, executive director of the Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities, said in response to earlier cuts. “Safety is at stake. People’s lives are at stake. Communities thriving is at stake”. The CRS operates differently from traditional law enforcement agencies. It does not investigate or prosecute crimes and has no law enforcement authority. Its services are strictly voluntary, neutral, and free of charge for communities requesting help. As stated by the DOJ, its mission is to “help communities address conflict and tensions arising from differences of race, color, and national origin,” with expanded roles in responding to religious hate crimes, civil rights-era cold cases, and hate-motivated violence under laws signed by presidents from both parties. The office was further empowered by the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act, reauthorized under President Obama, and has played key roles in restoring peace after incidents of racial violence. Its quiet yet critical role has included protecting places of worship under threat, easing tensions following hate crimes, and facilitating law enforcement-community dialogues in moments of crisis.

Democrats warned that eliminating CRS would only deepen racial division and erase decades of progress. “We are aware that during the previous Trump administration, there was a similar effort to abandon the valuable work of the Community Relations Service by recommending its elimination in budget proposals and reducing staffing,” they wrote in the letter to Bondi. The Justice Department has not responded to inquiries about the fate of the CRS. Meanwhile, lawmakers say the potential closure would represent more than just another agency cut—it would silence one of the last trusted intermediaries in America’s most vulnerable communities. “We cannot afford to lose a service dedicated to conflict resolution and racial healing at a time when tensions are rising and trust is in short supply,” the letter states.

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BlackPressUSA

BREAKING NEWS: Officers in Tyre Nichols Death Get a Pass in State Court

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Three former Memphis police officers were acquitted Wednesday on all charges in state court in the 2023 death of Tyre Nichols

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California State Courthouse Building in Sacramento, CA, USA
California State Courthouse Building in Sacramento, CA, USA

BREAKING NEWS: Officers in Tyre Nichols Death Get a Pass in State Court

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

Three former Memphis police officers were acquitted Wednesday on all charges in state court in the 2023 death of Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man whose violent beating after a traffic stop drew national attention. The jury found Demetrius Haley, Tadarrius Bean, and Justin Smith not guilty of second-degree murder and other charges. Nichols, a FedEx employee, was driving home from work when he was stopped and later beaten by officers. The trial jury was selected from the Chattanooga area to avoid local bias. This case marked the second trial for the three men. Last fall, they were found guilty of witness tampering in a separate federal trial. Haley was also convicted of violating Nichols’s civil rights by causing bodily injury. However, federal jurors did not convict them of causing Nichols’s death. Sentencing in the federal case is expected later this year. Civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, representing the Nichols family, condemned the state court verdict. “Today’s verdicts are a devastating miscarriage of justice,” they said. “The world watched as Tyre Nichols was beaten to death by those sworn to protect and serve. That brutal, inhumane assault was captured on video, yet the officers responsible were acquitted.”

They added, “Tyre’s life was stolen, and his family was denied the justice they so deeply deserve. We are outraged, and we know we are not alone.” The attorneys thanked supporters who have stood with the family and called for continued pressure for police accountability. “Let this be a rallying cry: we must confront the broken systems that empowered this injustice and demand the change our nation –– and Tyre’s legacy –– deserves.” Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of the National Action Network (NAN), also denounced the verdict, calling it “outrageous.” In February 2023, Sharpton delivered Nichols’s eulogy in Memphis, where then-Vice President Kamala Harris also called on Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. “This afternoon I spoke to Tyre’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wells, and we are all completely outraged by this acquittal,” Sharpton said. “Mr. Wells noted in our discussion that the prosecution put on a strong case. My understanding is that this is an all-white jury brought in from Chattanooga, and not even the citizens of Memphis, which is even more egregious to me. It is also absurd that the City of Memphis has taken no responsibility, claiming these officers acted on their own when it was the rough tactics of the since-disbanded VIPER Squad that empowered them to commit this brutal beating as Tyre called out for his mother.” Sharpton added, “Justice can still be delivered. These officers were also convicted on federal charges, for which we believe the justice system must now demand the maximum sentence. Tyre’s death was preventable, inexcusable, and tragic.”

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April Ryan

MLK Bust Quietly Removed from Oval Office Under Trump

The iconic bronze bust of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., once a focal point in the Oval Office during the Obama and Biden years, has been relocated.

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MLK Bust (photo by Bill O’Leary)

The bronze bust of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which has been in the White House since the second term of the Bill Clinton administration, has been moved out of the Oval Office. A senior White House official says the bust now sits in President Donald Trump’s private dining room, just off the Oval Office.

When asked for proof of the position of the art, the official said they did not take pictures inside the private residential areas of the White House or West Wing.

Previously, the Biden and Obama administrations prominently placed the famous bust next to the fireplace in the Oval Office. The artwork was frequently captured in videos and pictures during meetings with those presidents and other leaders.

This bust is just one of many pieces of artwork around 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., which is not only the president’s home but also a living museum. The bust has been on a long-term loan from the Smithsonian to the White House since 2000. It was the first image of an African American on public display at the White House. The bust was created by African-American artist Charles Alston in 1970, two years after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

That bronze bust of Dr. King has resided in various areas of the White House, from the library on the lower floor to the Oval Office in the West Wing. The King bust has never been positioned on the State Floor of the White House because Martin Luther King Jr. was a civilian.

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