Barack Obama Presidential Center
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

December 4, 2023

Harnessing The Power Of The Black Dollar To Create A Self-Sufficient Community

The Barack Obama Presidential Center presents a generational opportunity to catalyze Black economic development in the Woodlawn neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side.

Written by Thomas McElroy

Many of Chicago’s eminent institutions and significant amenities—the University of Chicago and its medical center, Jackson and Washington Parks, a commuter rail line—lie within, or border Woodlawn, a predominantly Black neighborhood. Despite these solid underpinnings, the real estate development community has been reluctant to invest in the South Side area. That is about to change. The planned opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in 2025 represents a generational opportunity to fuel economic development if it is done right.

One only needs to look at the contrasts among Chicago neighborhoods to conclude that neighborhoods that lack a voice over their future tend to have the lowest income levels. Therefore, any plan to leverage the Obama Center to drive Woodlawn’s economic development must focus on building a self-sufficient neighborhood, wherein retail and amenities attract spending.

Importantly, those dollars must stay within the community to generate wealth and enhance property and business values. This will draw more investment, which in turn will further empower the community to determine its future.

Chicago Engages Black Development Assets

To a certain extent, we’re already seeing this dynamic at play across a host of Chicago neighborhoods as a result of the city’s Invest South/West program. The genius of this $2.2 billion public-private initiative has been to embrace and empower Black and Brown developers to catalyze economic investment.

In awarding high-value projects to dozens of minority- and women-owned enterprises, Chicago is making the architecture, engineering and construction trades more equitable and representative of its residents.  This infrastructure-building process is self-sustaining, allowing contractors to qualify for bigger jobs and make further capital and people investments. With the transparent success of the Invest South/West model, developers from Florida, Tennessee and Texas at the University of Chicago’s inaugural Diverse Developers Conference planned to design similar programs.

In Woodlawn, the Obama Center will be the catalyst. The museum, library and education project is expected to attract 1 million tourists a year, a far greater number than the 750,000 visitors Obama predicted at the groundbreaking in 2021. Many of these visitors are going to be Black families, some of whom are making their first-ever trip to Chicago. If hotels, Black-centric restaurants and shopping amenities in close proximity are not safe and accessible, these tourists will simply visit the Obama Center and leave, spending discretionary monies outside of the community.

Recognizing this economic development opportunity, Chicago’s Apostolic Church of God and prominent Black leaders of Chicago’s South Side have launched plans for a nucleus of housing, offices, retail, performing arts, lodging and other uses around the Obama Center rail station. Serving Obama Center visitors will play a significant part in reversing the neighborhood’s decline and creating prosperity on its own terms. Much like Invest South/West, the Woodlawn Central development possesses the potential to provide Black and Brown developers around the country with a blueprint from which to draw inspiration or even duplicate.

Any such modern economic development project also will require a substantial investment in infrastructure, from transit to technology. Though they can be costly, these investments pay dividends: Transit breaks down barriers to employment by shuttling people to and from jobs, and technology opens multiple avenues of opportunity to entrepreneurs.

Black Equity Requires Black Investment

Traditionally, the inability to find financing has been a roadblock to Black neighborhood renewal efforts, especially for Black developers. Quite frankly, fundraising is still a challenge. However, by harnessing the Black dollar, Woodlawn Central aims to bring investment capital for the direct benefit of Black developers, who are integral to the community and best understand its needs.

An increasing number of Black businessmen and women, in financial services and other industries, are building a store of investible capital and connections in the private equity markets. Black-led real estate development is not only a natural extension of Black and Brown-inspired growth and development in other parts of Chicago, but also will energize and support Black businesses, creators, innovators and residents.

RELATED CONTENT: National HBCU Week Focuses On Career Pathways And Economic Development

THOMAS MCELROY

Thomas D. McElroy II is the principal and CEO of Level-1 Global Solutions.

Black-owned fragrance brand, perfume, scents, smell, holiday gift
by Ahsan Washington

December 4, 2023

8 Black-Owned Fragrance Brands For Perfume Lovers To Indulge

Check out these eight Black-owned perfumes.

The gift of fragrance is one of the easiest presents to give for the holiday season, as you don’t need to know what size a person wears or their favorite color. Plus, they make good stocking stuffers.

It may help to know what types of scents tickle their fancy. What appeals to people, and what might turn people off is often triggered by olfaction, that good ol’ sense of smell. So, when selecting perfumes to gift, keep that in mind. If you are unsure of scents that appeal to the recipient of the gift, play it safe. Err on the side of caution and opt for softer smells like fruit, citrus or floral over woody, spicy, or outdoors.

To make it even easier, BLACK ENTERPRISE has found eight Black-owned fragrance brands for perfume lovers to indulge.

1.) Brown Girl Jane

Brown Girl Jane was founded by Malaika Jones, Tai Beauchamp, and Nia Jones who came together to produce fine fragrances that are distinctively different from traditional perfumes. To get a whiff of multiple scents, check out the Discovery set that comes with these six mini sprays: Bahia, Casablanca, Lamu, Dawn, Dusk, and Dare.

Buy it here

2.) Aromatic Perfume Oils 

This perfume brand boasts a “extensive knowledge of the fragrance industry,” and offers a range of information about scents and the benefits of using perfume. The company’s featured scents are Opulence, Confidence, and Magnificence.

Buy it here

3.) Fenty

This perfume speaks for itself and not because of its hype girl and creator Rihanna, but because of its deep floral fragrance and statement bottle. 

Buy it here

4.) Savoir Faire

Peep the packaging on the Signature fragrance from Savoir Faire. It is absolutely gorgeous. This brand puts a refreshing spin on fine fragrance, bringing creativity and curiosity to its scents. Do explore the Whiskey Rose, LoveSuede, Sin, Santo, and Sage, Ascension, and Soul Cafe. 

Buy it here



5.) Mair 

Mair is making traction in the fragrance industry. Find its offering in Macy’s counters and online stores. Check out Peony Silk and Remember When. 

Buy it here



6.) B Fragranced 

The Black-woman owned fragrance brand is popular for its Embellish fragrance, which is said to be “sweet,” spicy and “edible,” thanks to its blend of peach, apple and sandalwood. Find Embellish and other B Fragranced scents on its website and at JCPenney and Walmart. 

Buy it here

7.) Pink Mahogany 

Texas-based Pink Mahogany, founded in 2005, has a plethora of scents that would would be pleasing to anyone’s senses  

Buy it here



8) Moodeaux 

This brand creates “clean luxury fragrances to help scent-crazed beauty fanatics smell good,” and it said what it said. Its wildly popular perfume is Punkstar. Its packaging is popping, too. 

Buy it here

RELATED CONTENT: Nicki Minaj’s ‘Pink Friday’ Perfume Breaks Internet, Selling Out In Minutes

climate, report
by Daniel Johnson

December 4, 2023

Black Communities In Southeastern States Face Heightened Threat From Extreme Weather, New Report Reveals

The report estimates that by the year 2050, almost 17% of homes owned by Black people will be at risk of storm damage.

According to a Nov. 30 report from McKinsey & Company, Black people living in the Southeastern United States are more at risk of climate change-related severe weather events than people living in other areas of the country.

The report, titled “Impacts of Climate Change on Black Populations in the United States,” takes an in-depth look at how extreme weather adversely impacts the lives of Black people. According to the report, “Black populations are particularly vulnerable to physical-hazard exposure, since they are concentrated in areas especially susceptible to extreme weather.” 

Most Black people in the United States are concentrated in the Southeastern United States, along the Gulf Coast region stretching from Texas to Florida, CNN reported. The mapping also includes Maryland and Virginia. The report also cautions that as climate change worsens in Black communities, food deserts—or as some food justice advocates describe those areas, “food apartheid areas”—will only get worse as income inequality deepens, further exacerbating the gaps in access to healthy food. 

The report also discovered that in the western United States, areas that map at least 50% Black, Indigenous American, or Latine experience a 50% greater vulnerability to wildfires than do primarily white populations.

The Southwestern United States and the Southeastern United States are both more likely to feature extreme heat than other parts of the country. The two areas have 20 million Black people living in them. Extreme heat, the report reads, “can lead to reduced working hours and higher absenteeism at work, especially for jobs that need to be performed outside, like agriculture or construction.” The report also cautions that Black and Latine workers could be faced with proportional productivity losses as high as 18% as a result of extreme heat-related issues.

The risks of hurricanes are also heavily concentrated in the South, East, and Southeastern United States, which is where Black populations are more densely concentrated. According to the report, “Because tropical storms affect the Gulf and Atlantic coasts the most, our analysis shows that Black communities in the Southeast are 1.8 times more likely than the overall U.S. population in the same area to experience hurricanes.”

The report estimates that by the year 2050, almost 17% of homes owned by Black people will be at risk of storm damage, nearly twice as much as the general risk of storm damage. Along with hurricanes, Black communities in these areas are also at risk of severe flooding, which often also comes along with severe hurricanes.

According to the McKinsey report, by 2050, assuming the Earth’s temperature steadily increases each year, the risk to Black-owned property is expected to rise, with their expected risk increasing to almost 13%. In neighborhoods that were redlined, there is an increased risk of higher temperatures, even controlling for neighborhoods in the same city. In Baltimore, where the population is 62% Black, there is an increased risk of flooding directly correlated to historically redlined areas in the city.

According to the report, “Redlined neighborhoods tend to be “concrete jungles” where the water from flooding cannot be absorbed. They are also often located near brownfields where contaminated runoff from flooding could threaten public health.”

The report recommends, among other possible solutions, that “a concerted effort at understanding the impact of climate risk for Black workers, business owners, consumers, savers, and residents can help the private and public sectors identify racial gaps, allow for timely adaptation to build resilience against physical risks, and enable equitable access to climate finance opportunities.”

RELATED CONTENT: Inside The Climate Crisis’ Effect On Predominantly Black Neighborhoods In Chicago

Queen, Louella, kingdom, black American history, Vanessa, Miller, kingdom
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

December 4, 2023

Untold History Of A Black American Queen Revealed In Author’s Novel Based On True Historical Events

Vanessa Miller’s latest novel — The American Queen — unveils the hidden history of a Black woman who becomes queen of a kingdom built on American soil.

Originally Reported by Blacknews 

Based on true historical events, award-winning author Vanessa Miller’s latest novel — The American Queen — unveils the hidden history and inspiring story of Louella, a resilient Black woman who becomes the only known queen of a kingdom built on American soil.
This breathtaking novel — set between 1865 and 1886 — weaves together themes of love, hate, hope, trust, and resilience in the face of great turmoil. With every turn of the page, readers are transported to a pivotal period in American history, where ordinary people rose to become extraordinary heroes.

An emotional journey, The American Queen reveals the remarkable and unsung history of individuals who dared to dream of a better life and built a refuge for themselves and others as they fought tirelessly for the freedom and dignity of all.

The American Queen publishes January 30, 2024 (HarperCollins/Thomas Nelson, softcover, $18.99; also available in audio and e-book). It’s available for pre-order here.


Praise for The American Queen:

“The American Queen brings to light another hidden triumph in Black American history. Queen Louella is frankly a woman that everyone should know. Filled with bravery and cultural beauty, this marvel of a novel transported me while educating me on the sheer determination of an emancipated community to not only survive but to also thrive.” — Sadeqa Johnson, New York Times bestselling author of The House of Eve and Yellow Wife

“The American Queen is beautifully told, a story rife with struggle, intrigue, and the indomitable spirit of a woman strong enough to carry the weight of a community, bold enough to dream the impossible, and determined enough to fashion dreams into reality. Louella Montgomery is a woman for the ages. I loved traveling alongside her and meeting the people of The Happy Land.”— Lisa Wingate #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Friends

RELATED CONTENT: Texas Mother And Education Advocate Dr. Roni Dean-Burren Passes Away at 46, Known For Challenging Misrepresentation Of Slavery In Textbook

Pure, rehabilitation, recovery, Reggie, D, East, St Louis
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

December 4, 2023

Black Entrepreneur To Open Drug And Alcohol Rehab Facility In Hometown Of East St. Louis

Reggie D. hopes to open Pure Living Recovery and Rehabilitation by spring 2024.

Originally Reported by Blacknews 

Many may know Reggie D. for his tasty, delicious sauce line Pure Heat Gourmet Sauce, but he is now turning the dial a little bit and using his influence to target an issue in his hometown of East St. Louis, Illinois that he says is greater. He has launched a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and hopes to open a drug and alcohol rehab facility.

The center is called Pure Living Recovery and Rehabilitation and he’s hoping to have it opened by Spring 2024 in the city of East St. Louis at 5601 State Street. He says that the building used to be owned by the state.

Reggie says that there are virtually no other options for long-term abuse centers in the immediate area. He comments, “After playing around for a while I decided to get my life together and come back and help my city.”

He adds, “It’s been hard. It’s just me. I have other businesses, but I have no partners, no loans, no grants -­ nothing. It’s just me trying to get it up and running. Someone broke in right before my closing and stole the electrical wiring and plumbing copper, and damaged the roof.
Nonetheless, once we open, everybody will be welcome regardless of their ability to pay.”

Reggie says that he plans to target the underserved and uninsured and make sure that they receive the much-needed help that inner-city residents often fail to receive.

With the goal of a 50-bed facility specializing in group and individual therapy and a 90-day 12-step inpatient treatment program. Our comprehensive drug addiction treatment program includes evidence-based therapies and continuing care to address the physical, psychological, and social aspects of addiction.

Pure Living Recovery understands the important connection between mental health and addiction. That’s why we offer a range of mental health services to address the underlying emotional and psychological issues that may have contributed to the addiction. With our support and guidance, individuals can gain the skills and confidence they need to achieve lasting recovery.

Reggie is also wrapping up his final semester at the Drug and Alcohol Institution to receive his certification In Substance Abuse Counseling and Trauma Care.

RELATED CONTENT: Rick Ross And Meek Mill Helped Each Other Through Substance Abuse

Lawsuit, Miami hotel records, Sean Diddy Combs, Subpoena
by Daniel Johnson

December 4, 2023

50 Cent Continues To Troll Diddy—And It Is Absolutely Scathing

50 Cent has been busy on social media trolling Combs amid as the hip-hop mogul battles multiple sexual assault allegations.

Internet troll and rapper Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has trained his sights on Diddy, Puff Daddy, Brother Love, whatever Sean Combs is calling himself at the moment.

According to Complex, Jackson has been busy on social media trolling Combs as the mogul battles multiple sexual assault allegations. After Combs temporarily stepped down from his position as the CEO of REVOLT, a TV network he co-founded in 2014, Jackson taunted Combs to sell REVOLT to him. 

https://twitter.com/50cent/status/1729548566379565201?t=DLO5xWlYO3oYVnoJG_qn4A&s=19
https://twitter.com/50cent/status/1730795222001680553?t=MoaRpfcghsFIiURNrWMaRw&s=19
https://twitter.com/50cent/status/1731339042590224776?t=a7-Y0FgZN2yWFCpuOazBnA&s=19

Jackson continued stoking the fire on Dec. 3, posting an Instagram photo mashing together R. Kelly and Combs over R. Kelly’s 1998 song, “Did You Ever Think.” Following that post, Jackson commented in another post containing a screenshot of a New York Times article questioning if Combs would survive the current wave of accusations.

“No he will be fine,” Jackson began, XXL Magazine reported. “He has so much money, when his corporate partners pull out. He will just reach in his pockets and make it happen. You saw how fast he paid Cassie. He’s a real Billionaire, he has f*ck you money guys, So f*ck you!”

Jackson has neither explicitly confirmed nor denied the speculation that he is producing a documentary about the allegations surrounding Combs. Instead, Jackson seems to enjoy the chaos.

Following the news that Combs stepped down from Revolt, the company issued a statement to NBC News, saying his choice to step down, helps to ensure that REVOLT remains steadfastly focused on our mission to create meaningful content for the culture and amplify the voices of all Black people throughout this country and the African diaspora,” the company said in a statement.

Shortly before Combs stepped down, Dawn Montgomery, a co-host of Monuments and Me, a show dedicated to Black women’s successes and issues, declined to return to the podcast for a new season because of her personal conviction as a sexual assault survivor.

“I still would like to hear from Revolt’s leadership as there are men in those positions who could’ve provided a safe space for [sexual assault] survivors like myself,” Montgomery told NBC News. “I cannot sign back on and say that I want to be paid to do a podcast where a few of the episodes were probably going to reflect this conversation. Diddy and his people could never do anything towards me to make me feel like I needed to continue to be quiet.”

RELATED CONTENT: Foxy Brown Seemingly Defends Diddy After Revealing Response To Message Sent To Her

David Lee, tech, diversity
by Jeffrey McKinney

December 4, 2023

Diversity Expert And Author Highlights Urgent Need For Greater Black Representation In Tech Industry

Only 8% out of 9.2 million technology workers and 3% of executives in the U.S. tech industry were cited as Black, according to research.

Though technology is among the most profitable sectors globally, the industry has not shown much growth in Black Americans’ prosperity.

Only 8% out of 9.2 million technology workers and 3% of executives in the U.S. tech industry were cited as Black.

Further, it’s projected that Black households by 2030 are expected to endure a collective loss  of over $350 billion in lost wages from tech jobs. That dollar figure purportedly equals roughly one-tenth of Blacks’ overall wealth as of 2023.

The findings reveal much work needs to be done to improve areas like hiring, recruitment, retention, and providing more resources to help Black Americans close the talent gap in the multi-trillion industry.

The push is needed as 77% of Black employees are unsatisfied with their tech roles. Another hitch for minorities is costly education. For instance, with about 20% living in poverty, Blacks face limitations in accessing IT courses.

Some 51% of Black adults lack the financial resources to apply for tech jobs. The wage gap for Black individuals in tech positions is expected to rise by nearly 37% during the next seven years.

For its part, the global technology trade group CompTIA shares a different story. For instance, it reports on its website that about “8 in 10 high-tech industry workers say they are satisfied with their organization’s diversity efforts, and 44% say diversity is a high priority for their employers.” Simultaneously, “45% say the industry has lagged in promoting diversity.” It was added the industry has a “workforce overwhelmingly white and male, with fewer African Americans, women, and Hispanics than non-tech industries.”

It has been also been shown that tech companies with above-average diversity in their management teams have 19% higher innovation revenue. And those firms with a diverse workforce can boost their revenue by 2.5 times per employee.

David Lee, a chief evangelist and visionary for tech diversity, reflected why the industry needs to be more inclusive.

“The more diverse perspective a tech company has, the stronger the product it produces. Tech is used by everyone, so it should be created by a representation of everyone,” says Lee.

 The author of “The Only One in the Room: The Unwritten Rules of Being Black in Tech,” Lee is described as an influential thought leader for Black Americans in the tech industry. Lee’s book focuses on the lack of racial diversity in the field and explores ways to help change the disparity.

“The way forward for tech companies seeking to improve their attraction and retention of Black talent is to engage with the local community, from HBCUs to Black tech organizations, and connect talent departments to these pipelines, he says.

BLACK ENTERPRISE connected with Lee via email to discuss what strategies tech companies might consider in helping to boost Black representation and the diversity crisis in the industry.

BE: Why is the low representation of Black American workers and executives in the tech industry a significant problem for that community?

Lee: The underrepresentation of Black American workers and executives in the tech industry is a significant issue that can perpetuate socio-economic disparities, limit innovation, and create an environment lacking diversity of thought. And that can lead to products that not just inconvenience Black Americans but do harm. There isn’t enough exposure to young Black Americans about careers in tech. They don’t see a lot of people that look like them and not many people enjoy being the “only one in the room.”

BE:  What specific actions should tech companies be taking to hire more Black workers and executives and create effective pipelines for attracting and retaining Black talent?

Lee: Engage with HBCUs. Get a presence on the campus, sponsored boot camp weekends, and coding projects. Be intentional about expanding the talent pool hiring managers are selecting from. Work with Black professional organizations to increase the company’s exposure to Black professionals.

BE: In what ways can engaging with HBCUs and Black tech organizations be a game-changer in building a more diverse talent pool for tech companies?

Lee: HBCUs are the ultimate destination for getting access to Black talent. Establishing a strong relationship with an HBCU by having a presence on campus, creating apprenticeship programs and internships would give both the company and the students the exposure they need.

BE: How can companies hold themselves more accountable for achieving meaningful progress in diversity, equity, and inclusion beyond just setting diversity goals?

Lee: For every carrot, there needs to be a stick. Currently, companies set goals around DEI with no consequences for not meeting those goals. I would challenge companies to put their money where their mouth is. Tie diversity goals to leadership bonus packages and incentive programs, and make it hurt when the goals aren’t met.

RELATED CONTENT: Tech’s Top Black Female Experts To Discuss Artificial Intelligence At Brookings Institute Panel

reading, books
by Daniel Johnson

December 4, 2023

Oliver James Is Inspiring People To Learn How To Read Via TikTok

"I ended up graduating from high school without knowing how to read, and no one cared," said James. 

In 2022 Oliver James opened a now viral TikTok post with, “What’s up? I can’t read.”

The post, to borrow the title of a Twista song, made James an overnight celebrity on the platform, racking up 273,000 followers on TikTok as he posted videos showing himself slowly working through books as he taught himself to read.

“I never thought it was going to blow up like it did,” James told People Magazine. “I started out on this journey just to help myself, but it turns out I’m helping a lot of kids and even adults who have been struggling with reading like I was.” 

According to the Barbara Bush Foundation, approximately 54% of people between the ages of 16 and 74 lack literacy proficiency, meaning they read below the equivalent of a 6th-grade level. James, however, was functionally reading illiterate, which he attributes to ADHD and other learning disabilities he lived with as a young person.

“I ended up graduating from high school without knowing how to read, and no one cared,” James told People.  

Shortly after, he went to prison on an arms dealing conviction. Once he was released, James, who still couldn’t read, became a fitness instructor and moved to California with his long-term girlfriend, Anne Halkias. James credits his girlfriend with coaxing him to share that he had an inability to read. “It was my big secret,” he said. “I kept it hidden from everyone.”

For James, the satisfaction of knowing he is inspiring others to read books is something that still floors him. In the meantime, his appetite for book is growing.

“My 10-year-old reads better than me,” James said. “But I’m managing to put in about five hours a day reading and just finished my 81st book. For most of my life, I never even thought about owning a book.Now I’ve got two bookshelves filled with about 300 books.” 

So far in 2023, James, who estimates that he now reads at a third grade level, has finished 81 books. He’d like to get to 100.

In October, the Barbara Bush Foundation honored James with the National Literacy Honors Award, which required him to read a teleprompter to a large audience.

“I was nervous,” James told People “But knowing that I was about to do something in front of all those people that I wasn’t very good at was an exciting type of nervousness that I’ll never forget.” 

RELATED CONTENT: ‘One Blood’ Is The Most Black And Beautiful Adoption Story You’ll Ever Read

Declan Lopez
by Ann Brown

December 3, 2023

Meet 6-Year-Old Genius Declan Lopez, The Newest Member Of Mensa

The 6-year-old member of Mensa, a prestigious society reserved for the brightest minds, boasts an impressive IQ of 138.

New Jersey kindergartner Declan Lopez is proving genius comes in all ages.

The 6-year-old member of Mensa, a prestigious society reserved for the brightest minds, boasts an impressive IQ level of 138., on par with Albert Einstein.

Einstein never took an IQ score test. However, based on his historical records, academics have estimated his score to be around 160. Declan’s IQ of 138 is right at genius level, USA Today reported. The highest average score for people under 64 years of age is 109.

Declan is now a member of Mensa, the global high-IQ society and non-profit organization open to people who score at the 98th percentile or higher on a standardized, supervised IQ or other approved intelligence test. American Mensa has more than 50,000 members, and according to the group, its Young Mensans is the fastest-growing segments.

“I’m interested in arts, science, math, and geography,” Declan said, according to ABC News.

What sets Declan apart is her extraordinary reading ability, which is already at a third or fourth-grade level. She attends school in Dover, New Jersey. According to her mother, Meachel Lopez, her school has teachers who are “amazing and supportive.”

“Her current school offers her a once-a-week coding game to attempt to provide her with some added stimulation as they currently do not offer a gifted program until the third grade,” Lopez told USA Today.

“My favorite thing to learn is a force in motion,” revealed Declan, who has a little bother, Maddox.

Declan’s parents began noticing her exceptional intelligence when she was just 18 months old.

“We were on a trip in the airport, and she just started to count in Mandarin,” Meachel Lopez told ABC affiliate WPVI-TV. While her parents nurture her intellect, they said they also want her to enjoy her childhood.

“I want her to laugh and joke and make mistakes and do things that 6-year-olds do,” her mother said.

RELATED CONTENT: 17-Year-Old CEO Is Now A Doctor After Successfully Defending Her Dissertation

Karine Jean-Pierre, AAFCA
by Daniel Johnson

December 3, 2023

Conservative Group Accuses White House Press Secretary Of Violating Hatch Act

Former President Trump’s political advisor Kellyanne Conway was charged with 12 violations of the Hatch Act—and remained on the job.

A conservative watchdog group has accused White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre of violating the Hatch Act, which essentially forbids any federal employee from engaging in political activity while on duty in their capacity as a federal employee.

According to The Hill, the complaints from Protect The Public Trust, run by former Trump administration official Michael Chamberlain, were submitted to the Office of Special Council, who sent Jean-Pierre and White House spokesman Andrew Bates letters. 

According to NBC News, an October letter from the OSC warned that the use of the term “MAGA” was considered a campaign-related slogan. Chamberlain went after Jean-Pierre specifically in the complaint he filed in June, writing, “Your letter advised Ms. Jean-Pierre ‘that should she again engage in prohibited political activity, OSC would consider it a knowing and willful violation of the law that could result in OSC pursuing disciplinary action.’ That is precisely what Ms. Jean-Pierre has done,” Chamberlain wrote. “It further is highly unlikely that the phrase ‘MAGA’ appeared in two separate White House Press Office documents on the same day by accident.”

Chamberlain also claimed that the OSC’s refusal to punish Jean-Pierre signaled to him that the Hatch Act is not taken seriously, “at least nobody that matters,” Chamberlain told NBC News. “Ms. Jean-Pierre cites it frequently to avoid tough questions, but when she and her deputy received the initial warning from OSC, they doubled down.”

Chamberlain added, “They probably guessed there would be no consequences, and the OSC appears to have proven them correct.”

According to NBC News, enforcement of the Hatch Act for top officials is considered impossible, while lower-level federal employees are often punished for running afoul of the OSC’s rules. However, in 2021, members of the Trump administration were under scrutiny for possible violations of the Hatch Act multiple times, culminating in a November 2021 report calling their behavior “especially pernicious” and saying their actions “appeared to be a taxpayer-funded campaign apparatus within the upper echelons of the executive branch.” 

https://twitter.com/LarryTenney/status/1730738215479300331?t=comVcavedXwVACeh2kd8VA&s=19

According to The Guardian, Trump’s one-time political advisor Kellyanne Conway was charged by the OSC with 12 separate violations of the Hatch Act, but then-President Donald Trump ignored the OSC’s recommendation to fire Conway. According to Donald Sherman, the deputy director of CREW, (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington) the Trump administration’s top officials committed numerous Hatch Act violations, but were insulated by Trump.

“Trump has been openly dismissive of the Hatch Act and didn’t fire Conway when OSC recommended it,” Sherman said. “This administration has committed Hatch Act violations of a greater scope, scale and frequency than any administration in recent memory.”

RELATED CONTENT: Unbothered: Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre Denies Democrats Concern On Biden’s Age

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