December 15 , 2020
Roy Charles Brooks
Chairman
Rodney Ellis
President
Dr. Helen Holton
Executive Director
The so-called January Barometer, which financial experts say determines how the U.S. stock market performs for the rest of the year, indicated that 2020 was off to a promising start for investors. Then, before the month ended, fears that the Coronavirus would spread worldwide started a massive sell-off that soon disrupted the global economy.

The early gains in the market weren’t the only indication that 2020 was expected to be a great year. Everyone predicted it to be a transformative year with people gearing up for the presidential primaries and the Census. But, after entering U.S. borders, the COVID-19 virus altered our way of life in ways most of us had never seen before.

Stay-at-home orders issued nationwide caused many businesses to close temporarily, schools to teach virtually and millions of employees to work from home. By early Spring there were record numbers of people unemployed and under-employed waiting for relief from the first stimulus package passed by Congress to offer some relief.

In May, the death of George Floyd, an African American killed by a white Minneapolis police officer, brought to the forefront the systemic problems of race in America, especially within law enforcement and the criminal justice system. We then witnessed the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Then, in mid-summer after many stay-at-home orders were lifted, the nation experienced a surge in new virus infections that further strained our health care system.

Despite fear of the virus, a record 160 million plus people voted during this presidential election year. As a result, Senator Kamala Harris became the first woman of color and of immigrant descent to be elected to the second-highest office in the nation.

As we’ve entered the holiday season, once again the nation is experiencing an even larger surge in virus cases. Many people, however, believe hope is on the horizon as the Food and Drug Administration is rapidly working towards authorization of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The new year ahead brings hope that a new administration will bring forth solutions to lift our nation out of this pandemic and into a brighter future.
Beatty Elected Congressional Black Caucus Chair


WASHINGTON, D.C. —U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) was elected the 27th Chair of the powerful Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) today. Immediately following the vote, she said:
“It is the honor of a lifetime to be voted by my peers to lead the Congressional Black Caucus in the 117th Congress.

Right now, our nation is facing three pandemics that have disproportionately impacted the lives of Black Americans: COVID-19, economic turmoil, and social injustice.

As Chair, I will work with the Biden Administration, House and Senate Leadership, as well as my congressional colleagues, to defeat the pandemic and ensure better days lie ahead for all of us. Moreover, I will use my voice to address enduring economic and health disparities and fight to break the chains of systemic racism that have held back the Black community for far too long. 

The Caucus will mark its 50th anniversary in 2021, and I will do everything in my power to build upon our previous successes, work to create racial wealth equity and sustainability, increase access to affordable healthcare, housing and education, reform our criminal justice system, and clean up our environment.  

Together—standing on the shoulders of the 13 CBC founders—we will continue to fight for our families, fight for our communities, and fight for justice for all.”

Since its establishment in 1971, the CBC has been committed to using the full Constitutional power, statutory authority, and financial resources of the federal government to ensure that African Americans and other marginalized communities in the United States have the opportunity to achieve the American Dream. As part of this commitment, the CBC has fought for the past 49 years to empower these citizens and address their legislative concerns.

For the 117th Congress, the CBC will be comprised of a historic number of members in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.
WHAT IS WORLD AIDS DAY?
Each year, on 1 December, the world commemorates World AIDS Day. People around the world unite to show support for people living with HIV and to remember those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses.
Each World AIDS Day focuses on a specific theme, which this year will be Global solidarity, shared responsibility. This year’s theme joins a growing list of challenges that World AIDS Day has alerted people to globally.
Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever international day for global health. Every year, United Nations agencies, governments and civil society join together to campaign around specific themes related to HIV.
  • Awareness-raising activities take place around the globe.
  • Many people wear a red ribbon, the universal symbol of awareness of, support for and solidarity with people living with HIV. 
  • People living with HIV make their voice heard on issues important in their lives.
  • Groups of people living with HIV and other civil society organizations involved in the AIDS response mobilize in support of the communities they serve and to raise funds.
  • Events highlight the current state of the epidemic.
World AIDS Day remains as relevant today as it’s always been, reminding people and governments that HIV has not gone away. There is still a critical need for increased funding for the AIDS response, to increase awareness of the impact of HIV on people’s lives, to end stigma and discrimination and to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV.

Washington, D.C. – The Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus,
Rep. Karen Bass, issued the statement below following the election of the Executive Committee for the 117th Congress by acclamation:
 
“On behalf of the entire Congressional Black Caucus, congratulations to the members of the Executive Committee for the 117th Congress!
 
In 1971, thirteen Black Members of Congress organized their efforts to help improve the conditions of Black people in America and around the world.

Though small in numbers, the founders of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) understood their responsibility for the millions of voices they represented.

That responsibility drove them to speak up and speak out against injustice wherever they found it – from Apartheid in South Africa to voter suppression, economic oppression, racial violence across the country.

Next year marks 50 years for the CBC - 50 years as a champion for bold, progressive ideas in Congress; 50 years of making a seat at the table and building a pipeline for those to come; and 50 years as the “Conscience of the Congress.”
 
Under the leadership of Chair-elect Joyce Beatty, the Caucus will enjoy its largest membership in history, with a record 57 Members forming a body as diverse as the nation.

After four years under one of the most racist and repressive regimes in modern history, the CBC has an enormous opportunity under the Biden-Harris Administration to restore faith in our democracy and show Black Americans the power of their vote.

We look forward to the work ahead on behalf of Black America.”
 
Rep. Joyce Beatty will serve as Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Rep. Beatty represents Ohio’s 3rd district and currently serves on the exclusive House Committee on Financial Services where she chairs the Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion. 
 
Rep. Steven Horsford will serve as 1st Vice-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Rep. Horsford represents Nevada’s 4th district and currently serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, Budget Committee, and Natural Resources Committee.
 
Rep. Brenda Lawrence will serve as 2nd Vice-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Rep. Lawrence represents Michigan’s 14th district and currently serves on the House Appropriations Committee and the Oversight and Reform Committee.
 
Rep. Frederica Wilson will serve as Secretary of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Rep. Wilson represents Florida’s 24th district and currently serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, as well as the House Education and Labor Committee, where she chairs the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee.
 
Rep. Hank Johnson will serve as Whip of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Rep. Johnson represents Georgia’s
4th district and currently serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, as well as the House Judiciary Committee, where he chairs the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet.
 
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee will serve as Parliamentarian of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Rep. Jackson Lee represents Texas’s 18th district and currently serves on the House Judiciary Committee, Homeland Security Committee, and the Budget Committee.
As schools around the country work to mitigate the risk of COVID–19, educational leaders and wireless providers are working together to make sure children have the tools they need to participate in distance learning and stay engaged with their classmates and teachers. These partnerships have helped keep more than 2 million under-connected kids learning, thanks to the provisioning of free and discounted wireless devices and data plans.
Join us virtually for the CTIA Connected Kids Summit as we bring together policymakers, wireless providers and school superintendents to discuss how wireless is helping keep kids connected, and how wireless technology can continue to play a role in solving the remote learning and homework gap many children and families face.
Wednesday, December 16
1:00 PM ET
As part of our continued commitment to elevate minority women owned small businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19, Walker's Legacy is inviting multicultural women small business owners across the United States to apply for the Walker's Legacy COVID Relief Micro Grant.

We are currently accepting submissions for Walker's Legacy COVID Relief Micro Grant. To apply, take our COVID-19 Impact Survey funded by the Gates Foundation. By submitting your response to this survey, you will be automatically entered for a drawing to receive a $500 grant. Survey respondents must be submitted by December 28th at 11:59PM EST. 

 Additionally, two survey respondents each week will be selected at random for a $50 Amazon gift card and a 1-year free membership to Walker's Legacy.
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