by Sharelle B. McNair

August 22, 2024

Donald Trump Attacks Kamala Harris For Attending Sigma Gamma Rho’s ‘Very Unimportant’ Boulé 

He is so out of touch with history....

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Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is receiving backlash for criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris after she attended the boulé of the historically Black sorority Sigma Gamma Rho Incorporated. 

During an interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt, Trump called the boulé a “party” that was “very unimportant.” 

“Well, she went to a party, she actually went to a party, you know that she went to a party, a sorority party,” he said. 

“A very unimportant one. They have them numerous times during the year. It’s a shame.”

Trump was referencing Harris attending the group’s annual convention in Houston in July 2024. Sigma Gamma Rho, founded in 1922 by seven Black women in Indianapolis, Indiana, was the last established sorority under the “Divine Nine” group. While speaking to ladies who shined in their bold royal blue and gold, Harris said she looked at them as family who share similar visions for the future of the nation. “In this moment, we face a choice between two very different visions for our nation: one focused on the future, the other focused on the past. And we in this room are fighting for the future,” Harris said. 

“We are working to build up — to build up, not tear down — and to build up America’s families and America’s middle class because we know when our middle class is strong, America is strong.” 

Divine Nine boulés hold significant value for members, including keynote speakers, workshops, and networking events. Used as a way to garner bonds of sisterhood among the sororities, Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright says Trump’s comments once again depict him being far connected from history, as, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Black fraternities and sororities were created on principles of personal excellence, community service, racial uplift, civic action and kinship. “This is not the first time that we bear witness to Donald Trump’s racism not having boundaries,” said Seawright.

“Clearly, he has no acknowledgment of the history the Divine Nine has played to not only shaping the African American community but shaping his country, and certainly, the blatant continued disrespect of Black women shows his disconnect with the realities of what this country is all about.”

Some of the most prominent leaders in African-American history were members of Sigma Gamma Rho, including Georgia Davis Powers, the first woman and Black woman elected to the Kentucky state senate; Hattie McDaniel, the first African-American actress to win an Academy Award in 1940; and Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.)

For decades, historical groups have sponsored initiatives to promote voter registration and support of political candidates. The 2024 presidential election is no different. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., one of the largest historically Black sororities, spent time at the 54th Eastern Regional Conference in the city of brotherly love spreading messaging on the importance of voting. 

During a ​​discussion on economic impact entitled “VOTE Initiative — Visualize, Organize, Trailblaze, and Empower,” members pushed the urgent need for a massive turnout at the polls in November.

RELATED CONTENT: Size Matters: How The Harris Campaign Is Turning Crowds Into Volunteers

• Education

by Shanique Yates

August 22, 2024

Birmingham-Southern College Continues To Seek New Owner

Despite interest from neighboring Alabama colleges like Alabama A&M University and Miles College, BSC’s future when it comes to buyers currently does not look too promising.

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After announcing its closing in May, Birmingham-Southern College (BSC) is still in search of a buyer.

Despite interest from neighboring Alabama colleges like Alabama A&M University and Miles College, BSC’s future when it comes to buyers currently does not look too promising. According to a report by 1819 News, the school turned down a “lowball” offer of $65 million from A&M, which would have officially made it an HBCU. On the other hand, it signed a Letter of Intent with Miles College. However, the college could not find the funds to fulfill the purchase.

Launched as a Methodist institution just a year after its inception in 1856 as Southern University, the institution officially became Birmingham-Southern College when it merged with Birmingham College in 1918. The school is affectionately known as The Hilltop, due to its location overlooking the city of Birmingham.

Citing financial woes, BSC’s official last day of operation was May 31, 2024. However, the school’s last President, Daniel B. Coleman, has a vision of the institution’s campus continuing to be useful for Birmingham. The campus is currently home to dozens of administrative and classroom buildings, residence halls, and an apartment complex equipped with a pool, a lake, and playing fields.

“As the anchor tenant of this part of the city, BSC has provided stability, security, and service to our neighbors in Bush Hills, College Hills, and Smithfield, and vice versa for more than a century,” read a statement on the school’s website. “With millions of federal dollars on the way to create affordable housing and a more visible and attractive pathway between downtown and the west, such a large property being left vacant for any length of time is a huge setback to the neighborhoods that surround it.”

According to ABC 33/40, the Alabama institution tapped Keen-Summit Capital Partners LLC to help market the sale of its campus nationally in early August. The New York real estate company currently operates out of the city’s Manhattan and Melville neighborhoods and also has offices in Chicago. It specializes in bankruptcies, special situations, receiverships, and restructurings.

“This is the premier college campus available for sale in the U.S. right now,” said Managing Director of Keen-Summit Capital Partners LLC David Levy. “It would be perfect for a college or university looking to expand or establish a satellite medical, technology, life science, or other specialty campus. Alabama’s thriving sports culture also makes this campus an ideal fit for a world-class sports academy and boarding school. “With its state-of-the-art athletic facilities, warm weather location, and housing for about 1,600 students, this location is tailor-made for such an institution.”

Until a buyer confirms the sale of BSC, security officers will monitor the campus to ensure that it remains vacant.

RELATED CONTENT: Howard University Faces Housing Challenges Amid Record-Breaking Enrollment

• Celebrity News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 22, 2024

April Reign Calls Out Ana Navarro For Being All Up In President Obama’s Face

April Reign doesn't think Ana Navarro should be the one to fix President Obama's tie.

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“The View” co-host Ana Navarro thought she was helping Barack Obama by fixing his tie. But journalist April Reign thinks Navarro was “out of bounds.”

Reign reposted her response to Navarro’s touchy-feely photo op with Barack, in which she touched his chest and kissed him on the cheek.

“Somebody had to fix his tie. So Chacha and I pitched-in,” Navarro captioned her post.

But Reign shot back, telling Navarro to delete her post because it didn’t come off as wholesome as she intended.

“Girl, delete this. You are not that somebody, or whatever Aaliyah said,” Reign sarcastically wrote. “You know this is out of bounds, which is why you locked the responses.”

Reign went on to seemingly accuse Navarro of being inappropriate with Barack Obama while his wife Michelle Obama was just feet away.

“Because what you NOT gon do is imply YOU needed to fix his tie, when Michelle was right around the corner in the green room,” Reign continued.

“You and your purse dog need to remember your place, and it’s not within tie distance of our POTUS. Like literally how dare you.”

Another user called out Navarro for playing nice with the former President despite how much she publicly criticized him on “The View.”

“Not that it matters, but I remember her being very critical of him when he was in office. Now she’s the fixer? Lol,” the user wrote.

“YOU.SEE.IT,” Reign wrote in response.

“Wasn’t she a Republican up until Trump? Can never trust those types,” added someone else.

Another user called Navarro out for shutting down the comments section on the tweet of her touchy photos with Obama.

“Locked them comments down quick!” they quipped.

Navarro might have voted Republican in past elections, but this election year, she describes herself in her Twitter bio as a “proud Nicaraguan-AMERICAN.”

“I love America, imperfections and all. In 2024, I’m a single-issue voter: for Trump to lose,” she adds.

RELATED CONTENT: #OscarsSoWhite Creator April Reign Launches New Initiative to Diversify Hollywood