African-Americans

04 June 2008 -- Senator Barack Obama has acquired the necessary pledged delegates to become the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party in this year’s U.S. presidential election. This means 46-year-old Obama is the first African American candidate to lead a major political party for the White House.

Barack Obama claims victory, St. Paul, Minnesota: Photo by Chad Davis (CC)    » read more »

Washington, D.C., May 14, 2008 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today filed securities fraud charges against the promoters of an $18 million real estate investment scheme targeting the African-American community in the Los Angeles area and other locations in Nevada and Georgia.    » read more »

April 17, 2008 -- Des Moines – Today, at the John R. Grubb YMCA in Des Moines, Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed into law HF 2393, a bill requiring a “Minority Impact Statement” for any legislation related to a public offense, sentencing, or parole and probation procedures. The legislation also requires that any application for a grant from a state agency must also include a minority impact statement.    » read more »

April 8, 2008 -- A report in the Politico today exposes McCain's disconnect with the African American community in his home state just days after McCain acknowledged having made 'a mistake' when he opposed making MLK Day a holiday. According to the report, despite having represented Arizona over the past quarter century McCain has not established a strong relationship with the state's black community.

As the Politico notes, "the widespread perception of activists in the state's traditional civil rights organizations and the African-American press is that McCain has consistently treated them with indifference."

The following are excerpts of the story:

Arizona Blacks: Where's McCain?
Politico
By: Jonathan Martin
April 8, 2008    » read more »

Prepared remarks provided below

April 04, 2008 -- Fort Wayne, IN - Speaking in Fort Wayne this morning, Senator Barack Obama commemorated the 40th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's assassination, calling on Americans to continue King's lifelong pursuit of social and economic justice.

Barack Obama supporters: Photo by Barack Obama campaign (CC)

Obama was introduced at the event by Mike Riley, Indiana Campaign Chairman for Senator Robert F. Kennedy's 1968 presidential run. Riley was with Kennedy in Indianapolis when word hit that that Dr. King had been killed.    » read more »

Legislation creates commemorative coin celebrating the progress of the Civil Rights Act

April 2, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today applauded the House of Representatives' passage of legislation to create a commemorative coin to recognize the landmark strides of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Senator Barack Obama: Photo by Daniella Zalcman (CC)    » read more »

Soledad O’Brien Anchors Documentaries, Special Reports for Four Months Beginning on Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Death