06_28_14+MWC+++_proof4 3-1Rahim Islam is a National Speaker and Writer, Convener of Philadelphia Community of Leaders, and President/CEO of Universal Companies, a community development and education management company headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. Follow Rahim Islam on FaceBook(Rahim Islam) & Twitter (@RahimIslamUC) Some people say that the deal that was negotiated … [Read more...] about We’re all accountable to the movement (part 4)
Perspective
Black colleges must change to survive, thrive
The debate around the relevancy of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) is at least as old as the 1954 Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education that "separate but equal" educational systems are inherently unequal. The data and experiences of countless HBCU alumni like me tell a much different story: HBCUs play an invaluable role in educating often … [Read more...] about Black colleges must change to survive, thrive
The war on poverty
Over fifty years ago, January 8, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson announced his “War on Poverty” by introducing legislation that expanded the role of the federal government in reducing the level of poverty in America. This powerful legislation created several programs including Head Start, food stamps (SNAP), work study, Community Action Agencies, VISTA, Medicare and Medicaid. … [Read more...] about The war on poverty
Staying focused
Rev. Al Sharpton President, National Action Network Distraction is nothing new. On the road to progress and justice, obstruction is expected. Throughout history, when people push for change, they are routinely attacked, ridiculed and criticized. Not even the President of the United States is exempt from distractors, nor is the attorney general. Last week at National Action … [Read more...] about Staying focused
Improving the odds for America’s children
More than 40 years ago the earliest planning for what would become the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) took place at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. CDF began in 1973 in a Harvard University owned clapboard house. Our beginning was bolstered by a two-volume publication of the Harvard Educational Review in 1973 and 1974 among whose top editors were CDF staff, many of … [Read more...] about Improving the odds for America’s children
The great divide of income inequality
By Marc H. Morial “Income inequality” has become the political buzzword of 2014. Most recently, in his State of the Union address, President Obama made it a central theme of his second term. Both progressive Democrats and conservative Republicans in Congress are making the issue a focus of this year’s mid-term elections, and leading voices for human rights have called on … [Read more...] about The great divide of income inequality
Saving our brothers
“Too often we define a man’s success by what he has rather than who he is.” Those are the words of Tony Dungy from his book “Uncommon Manhood: Secrets to what it means to be a Man.” For those who do not remember, Coach Dungy was the first African American coach to win a Super Bowl with the NFL Colts (Peyton Manning was the quarterback). In addition, he coached several years … [Read more...] about Saving our brothers
Michael Sam – an inspiration to all
By Rev. Al Sharpton President, National Action Network Fighting for equality is never an easy thing. To challenge discriminatory policies or change people's pre-conceived ideas is perhaps one of the most difficult things to do. While fighting for your rights is not an easy path however, fighting for the rights of others is even harder still. But when we can … [Read more...] about Michael Sam – an inspiration to all
When Black men flex, society gets scared
By Walter Fields By chance I watched the NFC Championship football game at the home of a friend and former college football player, Vaughn McKoy. Of course, it was Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman who stole the show. Sherman’s infamously aggressive post-game interview triggered a debate over the appropriateness of his comments. For two Black men watching the … [Read more...] about When Black men flex, society gets scared
Being Frank: Blurred lines
The lines of race in America are not as distinct as they once were. At one point in the history of America the line of race thought was clear: white, black. Later the thought became gray as the white/ black thought process disintegrated. But due to the increase of interactions between black and white and the x-factor brought in by other races those race thought lines are … [Read more...] about Being Frank: Blurred lines