WSSN Stories

75+ Black-Owned Businesses in Los Angeles Participate in Prosperity Market’s Third Annual Black Business Scavenger Hunt (August 1-25)

In honor of Black Business Month, Prosperity Market–the mobile farmers market featuring Black farmers and entrepreneurs–hosts a month-long activation raising visibility for local businesses and awarding prizes to the top participants

LOS ANGELES, CA—- This August, Prosperity Market–the mobile farmers market spotlighting Black farmers, food producers, chefs, and entrepreneurs in Los Angeles–hosts its annual Black Business Scavenger Hunt that takes Angelenos on a journey across the city to discover new restaurants, and retail stores. In honor of Black Business Month (August), Prosperity Market founders Kara Still and Carmen Dianne have created an interactive map with 75+ Black businesses across food, fashion, wellness, and entertainment, encouraging participants to visit and support local shops, cafes, galleries, and more.

Winners of the 2022 Black Business Scavenger Hunt receiving their prizes.

Participating businesses include:

  • Restaurants & Food – Alta Adams, Poppy & Rose, Honey’s Kettle, Sky’s Gourmet Tacos, The Serving Spoon, Harold & Belle’s, Planet Health Compton, ILÉ Bistro, Say Cheese, All Chill, South LA Café
  • Bookstores – Reparations Club, The Salt Eaters Bookshop, Octavia’s Bookshelf, Malik Books
  • Coffee – Bloom and Plume, Hilltop Coffee & Kitchen, Obet & Del’s, The Lazy Rose Cafe
  • Retail – Jungalow (home), Our Culture Hub (retail store featuring Black-owned brands), High Fidelity (vinyl), Pineapple Mama Boutique (vintage), Bricks & Wood (clothing)
  • Beauty & Wellness – Nappily Naturals (health and beauty), Curly Gurl Luv (hair products), G-Train Fitness (gym), Emerald City Nail Bar (nail salon)

“This year, we have a new interactive map of all the participating businesses so people can search by neighborhood or by category, and map out the perfect itinerary,” says Kara Still, co-founder of Prosperity Market. “There are Black-owned businesses in every corner of Los Angeles, and we hope people will discover new places in their own backyard and beyond.”

“It has been incredible to see the evolution of the Black Business Scavenger Hunt since we started in 2021–the number of businesses and participants involved continues to grow, along with our impact on the economy and community,” says Carmen Dianne, co-founder of Prosperity Market.

How the Scavenger Hunt Works

On August 1, Prosperity Market will reveal the list of participating businesses via their website and Instagram. People can text #BBSH23 to the number 323-417-0465 to participate, and earn points by texting the unique code for each business when they visit. Extra points can be earned by making a purchase at each location. The participants with the most points at the end of the month will win special prizes, which include Hollywood Bowl concert tickets to John Legend as well as Snoop Dogg & Friends, and other items that may include gift cards, services, merch, movie tickets, and food and beverages, to be revealed at Prosperity Market’s pop-up event on August 27 at Hollywood Park.

August 27 Pop-Up Market

To conclude Black Business Month and the Scavenger Hunt, Prosperity Market (along with partner ComeUp LA, a marketplace that showcases Black creatives, brands and entrepreneurs in the fashion space) will host a pop-up market at Hollywood Park, the new sports and entertainment complex in Inglewood adjacent to SOFI Stadium. The event will feature music, activities for kids, plus vendors from across food, fashion, and beyond. The winners of the Black Business Scavenger Hunt will also be announced, and prizes will be distributed during the event. Throughout the week leading up to the pop-up (August 21-25), Prosperity Market will open their Virtual Market, which allows people to shop the vendors online and receive their goods via local pick-up, local delivery, or national shipping. Scavenger Hunt participants can also earn points by shopping the Virtual Market.

The Change Maker List 2023 features creative pioneers who disrupt the status quo in the areas of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

“It’s important to shine the light on a wide variety of people and brands who are making a positive difference in the world, so others can see it and be it,” says International Black Heritage Month founder Bruce Reynolds

CHANGE MAKER LIST 2023

EQUITY CHANGE MAKERS:
Change Makers whose past actions disrupted the status quo and addressed Equity:

Grace Jones (Acclaimed Singer, Songwriter, Actor, and Model)
A creative genius whose fearless approach to fashion, music, and film has shaped her extraordinary career and influenced other global artists. www.gracejones.com.

Clive Davis (Music Mogul)
A legend in the music industry, he launched the careers of Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, and many more. He also collaborated with producer/entrepreneur Sean “Puffy” Combs to create Bad Boy Records. www.clivedavis.com.

Joakim Jonason (Creative Director)
While at the ad Agency DDB Stockholm, Sweden, he created the Diesel Jeans Advertising campaign: (The Daily African) in 2000. Spotlighting wealth inequality and showing young wealthy, jet-set Africans enjoying life while former rich nations need help. www.adsspot.me/campaigns/diesel-the-daily-african-8cb6dd4d7e87.

United Colors of Benetton (Brand)
United Colors of Benetton is part of Benetton Group, and for decades the fashion brand has broken the rules of the status quo with its brand messaging. Featuring diverse models and social issues that affect the World. www.benettongroup.com.

DIVERSITY CHANGE MAKERS:
Change Makers whose present actions disrupt the status quo and address Diversity:

David Oyelowo (Actor, Producer, and Businessman)
A highly accomplished actor and producer, he co-founded the recently launched Mansa, a new streaming platform for curated global Black cultural content. www.mansa.com

Jada Pinkett Smith (Actress and Producer)
Jada Pinkett Smith is a highly accomplished actor, producer, and Executive producer of African Queens, a docudrama series streaming on Netflix. The series focuses on female monarchs from the continent of Africa netflix.com/queencleopatra, 

Pat McGrath (Makeup Artist and CEO)
Widely recognized as “the most influential makeup artist in the world,” She disrupted the industry, launching her own inclusive and innovative makeup line Pat McGrath Labs. 
www.patmcgrath.com

Mikaela Loach (Author and Climate Justice Activist)
The bestselling author of “It’s Not That Radical: Climate Action To Transform Our World” and co-host of The Yikes Podcast, she reframes the climate crisis and makes it relevant for all ages. www.mikaelaloach.com

INCLUSION CHANGE MAKERS:
Change Makers whose early-stage actions disrupt the future status quo and address inclusion:

Briana Marbury (CEO and Social Impact)
As President and CEO of The Interledger Foundation (ILF), she leads efforts to use innovative technology to enable digital financial inclusion for vulnerable populations around the World. www.interledger.org

MK Boston (CEO, Engineer, and Environmentalist)
As Atlas Water and Electric Company (AWE) CEO, he’s driving change and is at the forefront of renewable power and water technology. www.the-awe.com

Jaden Smith and Drew FitzGerald (Environmentalist and Social Impact)
This dynamic duo created JUST Water, sold in cartons, as a more sustainable alternative to single-use plastic bottled water. And to help communities, they created Waterbox, which can provide 10 gallons of Water in 15 seconds. 
www.waterbox.org, www.justwater.com

Elizabeth Wanjiru Wathuti (Environmentalist)
Founder of the Green Generation Initiative, which encourages young people to love nature and be environmentally conscious at a young age. This pioneering youth environment and climate activist champions solidarity and compassion for the World’s growing climate and ecological crises. www.un.org/en/climatechange/voices-of-change-elizabeth-wathuti

Adebayo Oke-Lawal (CEO and Creative Director)
As Creative Director and CEO of Nigerian fashion brand ‘Orange Culture,’ he also created a mentorship program that helps young fashion entrepreneurs across the continent of Africa.
www./orangeculture.com.ng/  www.instagram.com/orangementorship/?hl=en

Mag Rodriguez (CEO and Entrepreneur)
Mag Rodriguez is the CEO and founder of EVEN.biz, an innovative new creative platform that helps artists sell music directly to fans. It positions itself as “sell music first, stream second” and a pre-release stop before streaming platforms. 
www.even.biz

People around the globe can enjoy International Black Heritage Month (IBHM) curated content and virtual events all year long at: www.internationalblackheritagemonth.com/

International Black Heritage Month (IBHM) 2023 focuses on Jamaica and the 75th anniversary of Windrush, the vibrant Yoruba people, and the inspiring Creative Pioneers who have shaped our World.

Another of this year’s highlights is the 24-hour IBHM curated Spotify playlist, which features Japanese reggae, Indian hip hop, Afro beats from Mexico and Portugal, and acclaimed artists from around the globe, such as C4 Pedro, Libianca, Koffee Gunna, Chozen Lee, Usher, Missy Elliott, Bob Marley, Erykah Badu, Africa Unite, Diana Ross, Beyoncé, Soul II Soul, and more. Listen Here:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4BSxQT8Lmekp1cJheSK0El?si=6bca2c60daa2484a

“Satan Master Plan Is Almost Ready to Go Full Force!”

By Lou K Coleman

And you are going about business as usual. If you don’t awake from your slumber and pay attention, you are going to get caught up in the mayhem not prepared. Just a few more steps and Satan Master Plan will be in full force causing your life to become discombobulated. Satan, Master Plan is coming to declare war and to rule by force. He is coming to dominate the globe. First, establishing peace and economic solutions, then he’ll become the ultimate man of war, becoming history’s vilest embodiment of sin and rebellion, dripping with charm and charisma, all why being a horrible, hostile, hateful monster. Wake up! Soon and very soon, Satan Master Plan will be in full force.

Do yourself a favor and read the [second chapter of 2 Thessalonians] which provides a glimpse into Satan’s Master Plan and helps make sense of recent events.  Because the current world chaos is too well orchestrated to be a mere coincidence. For there has never been a time like this before where fear and uncertainty of the future ruled the day, hearing such words like “end of humanity” being proclaimed by the world. Why are they saying these things?  Because Satan knows that Jesus Christ is coming back soon to put an end to this wicked world. Satan knows that the judgments and plagues of God are soon to fall, so he is deceiving the world with antics, which just shows how close we are to the return of Christ, and if you don’t recognize this, then you are unprepared for what is to come.

The prophecy of [Daniel 2] alone shows we are in the ‘Time of the End’, and all the other evidence proves we are in the very end times. Awake from your slumber! Understand, Satan’s ultimate goal is world dominion, who knows his time is short and is determined to kill, steal, and destroy as much of God’s creation as possible before he is thrown into the fiery pit prepared for him and his minions.  In the meantime, he is making every effort to drag as many people into hell with him as he can. Grid your loins because he isn’t coming, he is already here unbeknownst to the majority.

I tell you, this world is hearing and seeing the last warning message from God. Whatcha gonna do?

Final Warning and Call of Mercy!

Congressional Black Caucus Confronts Ongoing Assault on Black Rights

By Stacy M. Brown | NNPA Newswire

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) firmly stated that Black Americans are being attacked in various ways nationwide, with Republicans leading these efforts.

“We refuse to be victims, and we will not be silenced,” declared CBC Chairman and Representative Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) during a State of Black America press event held at the Capitol.

“Our fundamental rights are under siege, and our history is being denied.

“But we will not passively witness these actions. Too many people count on us to fight for them.”

Recent GOP-led state actions

Recent events in several GOP-led state legislatures have intensified concerns within the CBC.

Despite a Supreme Court order, Alabama and Louisiana legislatures refused to create an additional district with a majority of Black residents.

The Florida State Board of Education has approved new education guidelines that downplay the harsh history of slavery. Instead, they emphasize the perceived benefits gained from the skills of enslaved people.

Rep. Maxwell Frost from Florida, the youngest member of the House, expressed frustration with his state’s guidelines.

He said these guidelines aim to erase and indoctrinate this generation with white supremacy.

However, Frost warned that Florida officials should not underestimate Black America’s determination to organize and resist.

Members of the CBC said that statements made by their GOP counterparts at the Capitol have deeply disturbed them, adding to the mounting discontent.

Rep. Eli Crane from Arizona made an offensive comment during a House floor debate by referring to Black people as “colored people.”

Meanwhile, Sen. Tommy Tuberville from Alabama defended a controversial statement by denying the racism of white nationalists.

Horsford acknowledged that expectations from Republican leaders are minimal at this point, but Representative Troy Carter (D-La.) demanded that the party’s leaders take a stand against such bigotry.

“The silence from Republicans and others in the face of such egregious statements is deafening,” Carter said.

“We will not condone the erasing of history. We must stand together to put an end to this.”

Recent CBC actions

The CBC has issued a list of demands, calling on the Department of Justice and the Department of Education to launch investigations into education policies. The caucus recently met with Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to discuss policies about Black history.

They also sent formal letters to Cardona and Attorney General Merrick Garland, urging for a “strong legal strategy.”

“Black people did not benefit from slavery; we built this country,” emphasized Horsford.

“Our toil, sweat, and tears went into constructing the very foundation of this nation. Elevating Black America is an elevation for all. We will not tolerate this assault on our rights.”

 

Advocates Challenge Discriminatory Eviction Screening Policies Enforced by Two Cook County Landlords

CHICAGO – In two historic filings, housing advocates are challenging policies of two large landlords in Cook County, Illinois that automatically reject applicants who have any prior connection to an eviction case, alleging the policies discriminate against Black renters, especially Black women, in violation of the 1968 Fair Housing Act. These “No-Evictions” policies shut out families from housing opportunities even when the eviction case was dismissed or was filed years ago.

Legal Aid Chicago filed a federal lawsuit today against Hunter Properties, Inc., arguing that Hunter’s “No-Evictions” policy has a disparate impact based on race, as well as on race and sex. Hunter’s website makes clear that “Prior eviction filings will result in denial” of housing applications, resulting in discrimination against Black renters, especially Black women. The lawsuit also claims that Hunter’s practice of excluding potential tenants based on sealed eviction records violates Illinois state law prohibiting unfair residential leasing practices.

While Black people of all genders make up just 33 percent of Cook County renters, Black people were approximately 56 percent of the individuals from September 2010 to March 2023 either served with an eviction case by the sheriff’s office or evicted by the sheriff’s office. Black women alone accounted for approximately 33 percent of those served or evicted despite making up just 22 percent of all renters in Cook County. Black renters faced nearly triple the likelihood of experiencing an eviction case than non-Black renters.

“It’s time that we take the stigma out of eviction filings,” said Dennericka Brooks, director of the Housing Practice Group at Legal Aid Chicago. “Blanket policies of housing providers that deny housing to, or prevent families from even applying for housing, have a cascading negative impact on families of color. These policies lock families out of housing while simultaneously ushering in opportunity to abuse, harass, or intimidate families with the mere threat of having an eviction filed against them. No family should be denied real housing choice because of a mere court filing against them. It’s time that we start demanding that housing providers see people as people and remove policies that are known to disparately impact women of color and perpetuate segregation.”

In addition, HOPE Fair Housing Center (HOPE) filed a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development against Oak Park Apartments, one of the largest operators of rental housing in Oak Park, Illinois. The complaint argues that Oak Park Apartments’ “No-Evictions” policy both discriminates against Black renters and Black women renters and perpetuates and reinforces residential segregation.“For over 50 years, Oak Park has worked hard to intentionally develop and grow an inclusive, integrated community,” said Michael Chavarria, HOPE’s executive director. “Landlords obstructing that hard work by placing barriers to housing for its residents, specifically for Black women, should be held accountable for their actions.”

The two cases are among the first in the nation to challenge eviction screening policies as discriminatory. Legal Aid Chicago is represented in the suit by the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Illinois, Mayer Brown, and the National Housing Law Project (NHLP). HOPE Fair Housing Center is represented in its complaint by the ACLU, the ACLU of Illinois, and NHLP.

“The law needs to recognize how use of these screening policies uniquely harms Black women as they seek housing for themselves and their families,” said Emily Werth, Senior Staff Attorney at the ACLU of Illinois. “Given the pernicious history of housing discrimination in Chicago and across Cook County, it is critical to address this continuing driver of discrimination and segregation.”

“Fair housing is a pillar of our fight for systemic equality, and eviction screening policies are an active threat to that equality,” said Sandra Park, senior staff attorney at the ACLU’s Women’s Rights Project. “These blanket bans lock out millions of renters because they were connected to an eviction case, even when they won or it occurred years ago. They prolong the trauma of eviction and especially destabilize Black women and families by trapping them in poverty. Communities are safer and stronger when everyone has equal access to housing, and we’re determined to oppose these harmful policies in Cook County and across the country.”

“Once the CDC’s nationwide eviction moratorium ended, an estimated 30 to 40 million people, who were disproportionately Black households and Black women, were at risk of eviction due to the COVID-19 housing crisis,” said Shamus Roller, executive director of the National Housing Law Project. “Those disparities serve as another potent example of the stark racial inequities and racial wealth gap in this country. That these evictions are used in a blanket way to exclude individuals and families from housing is both unjust and unlawful.”

“Mayer Brown is proud to represent Legal Aid Chicago and to work alongside the ACLU and the National Housing Law Project to advance this federal litigation challenging the discriminatory and devastating impact that having an eviction record imposes on Black people, and particularly Black women, in Cook County,” said Brian Massengill, a partner at Mayer Brown LLP. “Housing and economic stability is a core pillar of the firm’s Project Equity initiative—we will continue to handle matters that ensure fair and equitable housing for all.

 

Rabid Bats More Common During Summer and Fall

Contracting Rabies is Almost Always Fatal and All Human or Pet Contact with Bats Should be Reported

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) advises the public to never touch a bat with bare hands, and to report injured, sick, or dead bats. Summer and early-fall months are when rabid bats are most often found in Los Angeles County, especially during July, August, and September.

Healthy bats, which are good for the environment, typically hide and sleep during the day and emerge at dusk to fly and eat insects. Only about 1% of bats in nature have rabies, however, about 15% bats found near people and pets in LA County test positive for rabies. In 2022, 50 rabid bats were identified. So far this year, six rabid bats have been found, including three in Santa Clarita and one each in Altadena, Glendale and Los Angeles (zip code 90027).

Bats with rabies are more likely to fly in daylight, appear on the ground, or be found resting for long periods in highly visible areas, such as on the side of a wall. Bats with rabies may be found alive or dead and you cannot confirm if a bat has rabies just by looking at it.

Rabies is a fatal disease to humans and pets, including dogs and cats, if preventative medical treatment is not given before symptoms appear. Rabies is transmitted by the bite, or scratch from a tooth of a rabid animal. Many of our local bats have very small teeth. Bites from bats can be too shallow and small to be easily detected and can heal over quickly. Bats found inside of a house with any access to people sleeping, children, or pets may have bitten a person or pet without waking them or leaving a visible bite wound. After an exposure to rabies, a person must get urgent treatment to prevent illness.

Follow these simple steps if you encounter a bat:

  • Never touch a bat with bare hands.
  • Know that bats are protected wildlife, that they are beneficial for our environment, and that it is illegal for the public to kill, harm, or keep them. However, any bat that may have exposed a person or pet to rabies needs to be tested.
  • Do not release a bat outside if it was found indoors or if it was handled with bare hands – cover it with a box and call animal control to request that it be tested for rabies. Any bat that may have bitten, or had contact with, a person or pet should be collected by animal control and tested by Public Health for rabies.
  • If a bat is found outside that is sick, not moving, or dead, place a box or bucket over it. Then call the local animal control office to retrieve it for rabies testing.
  • Seek rabies help quickly if you may have had an exposure. After a bat bite or bat encounter, call (213) 288-7060, or email vet@ph.lacounty.govto discuss the risk of rabies exposure. Office hours are Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  To report bites in Pasadena, call the Pasadena Humane Society (626) 792-7151. For Long Beach call Long Beach Animal Control at (562) 570-7387 and for Vernon call its health department at (323) 583-8811.
  • Keep pets safe from rabies by keeping them up to date with their rabies vaccination. Indoor-only cats and dogs should be vaccinated against rabies, as some rabid bats are found indoors almost every year in Los Angeles County.  Rabies vaccinations for pets are available at veterinary offices and low-cost veterinary programs throughout the county.
  • Read and share our flyer on What To Do If You Find A Bat, available in English and Spanish: http://ph.lacounty.gov/vet/docs/WhatToDoIfYouFindABat_2021Outreach.pdf

For more information on bats and rabies visit: publichealth.lacounty.gov/vet/rabies.htm

“Taking the Lord Grace for Granted You Will Be Sorry!”

By Lou K Coleman

Many people, having heard all their lives about the grace and mercy of God, take His grace for granted. They decide on courses and actions which they know are contrary to God’s will, but figure that “God will forgive me anyway” and plunge foolishly into their rebellious way. They assume there will be no lasting damage once they are forgiven. These people exhibit the spirit of Esau — and unfortunately may well discover his end as well. For Hebrews tells us that when “later” came, and Esau wanted to repent of his actions, it was too late. “He found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.” [Hebrews 12:17].

This sad story should be a warning to each of us, not to take for granted the grace of God, as well as to realize that there are irreversible decisions in life. As devastating as the loss of such things on earth can be, the weightiest application here is that one day it will be too late for repentance. As [Hebrews 9:27] says, “It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.” When death comes, it will be too late for repentance. The Rich Man in [Luke 16] discovered that too late. His destiny was now fixed and like in Esau’s case “there was no place for repentance.” May each of us learn from him, and from Esau, and not wait until it is too late to consider the cost of our decisions and actions.

Be as the wise man who said, “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near.” [Ecclesiastes 12:1].

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid! Repent now before it’s too late!

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Moves 2025 Convention from Orlando, FL due to Governor DeSantis’ Harmful, Racist, & Insensitive Policies Against the Black Community

General President Lonzer’s Announcement Amplifies Current Convention Theme of Strengthening the Brotherhood and Standing for Social Justice

DALLAS, TX – Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. General President Dr. Willis, L. Lonzer, III announced the relocation of the Fraternity’s 99th General Convention and 119th Anniversary Convention from Orlando, Florida, scheduled to take place in 2025, due to Governor Ron DeSantis’ harmful, racist, and insensitive policies against the Black community. Today’s announcement, on the first day of its 97th General Convention and 117th Anniversary Convention in Dallas, Texas, amplifies the Fraternity’s convention theme, “Strengthening the Brotherhood and Standing for Social Justice.”

“Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has an unmatched legacy of social justice, advocacy, and leadership for the Black community,” said General President Dr. Willis L. Lonzer, III. “In this environment of manufactured division and attacks on the Black community, Alpha Phi Alpha refuses to direct a projected $4.6 million convention economic impact to a place hostile to the communities we serve. Although we are moving our convention from Florida, Alpha Phi Alpha will continue to support the strong advocacy of Alpha Brothers and other advocates fighting against the continued assault on our communities in Florida by Governor Ron DeSantis.”

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Conventions generate approximately $4.6 million in economic impact.

Earlier this week, the Florida Board of Education approved a controversial new K-12 curriculum for African American history, which erase Florida’s role in slavery and oppression, blames the victims, and declares that African Americans who endured slavery benefitted from the horrific and torturous institution.

The Fraternity joins a broad coalition of organizations protesting Florida’s barrage of harmful and discriminatory policies on protests, voting rights, education, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. In May, the NAACP issued a travel advisory, calling Florida “openly hostile” to African Americans.

In Dallas this week, General President Lonzer and Fraternity leadership are dedicating much of its current convention to highlight the continued fight needed for social justice on behalf of African Americans and other marginalized communities. On Monday, Fraternity leadership joined Dallas-Ft. Worth area Alpha Phi Alpha Chapters as well as other Divine 9 Dallas Chapters in a protest march that culminated with a rally of hundreds at City Hall.

The newly appointed President & CEO of The Rainbow Push Coalition, Alpha Brother, Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III, also helped lead the march and delivered rousing remarks at the rally.

On 75th Anniversary of Desegregation of Armed Forces, Attorney General Bonta Expresses Support for Federal Legislation Extending GI Bill Benefits to Black WWII Veterans and Their Families

OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today joined a bipartisan coalition of 24 attorneys general in submitting a letter to Congress in support of H.R. 1255, the Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H. Maddox GI Bill Restoration Act of 2023. Authored by Congressmen Seth Moulton (D-MA) and James Clyburn (D-SC), the federal legislation would extend eligibility for certain housing and educational benefits to Black World War II veterans and their families. The original GI Bill signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944 — known as the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act — was race neutral, but its implementation was marred by racism.

Exactly 75 years ago, President Harry S. Truman mandated the desegregation of our Armed Forces. Today, we cannot lose sight of a harsh reality: Black World War II veterans and their families were systematically denied the GI benefits they had rightfully earned,” said Attorney General Bonta. “H.R. 1255 would fix that terrible injustice, and I join my fellow attorneys general in urging Congress to pass it. We must continue to make progress toward a more perfect union.”

The original GI Bill provided a range of benefits to World War II veterans, including low-cost mortgages, low-interest loans to start a business or farm, and funds to pursue a college education. However, these benefits were regularly denied to Black World War II veterans and their families solely because of the color of their skin. For example, institutions adopted the Federal Housing Administration’s racial exclusion programs, known as redlining, which excluded Black World War II veterans from accessing the housing loan guaranty program. The consequences of such acts have had longstanding impacts: according to a report from the Consumer Federation of America, homeownership between white Americans and Black Americans stand at 74.50% and 44.10%, respectively, as of 2020.

If passed, the Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H. Maddox GI Bill Restoration Act of 2023 — named after two Black World War II veterans who experienced life-altering injustices — would among other things:

  • Extend access to the VA Loan Guaranty Program to surviving spouses and certain direct descendants of Black World War II veterans.
  • Extend access to the Post-911 GI Bill educational assistance benefits to surviving spouses and certain direct descendants of Black World War II veterans.
  • Establish a panel of experts to make recommendations on addressing inequitable access to benefits for female and minority members of the Armed Forces.

In sending today’s letter, Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.

A copy of the letter is available here.

ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE U.S. SUPREME COURT’S RULING ON AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN HIGHER EDUCATION ADMISSIONS

The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. strongly condemns the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling which strikes down race-based admissions at colleges and universities.  This majority decision overturns decades of legal precedent and will likely have a crippling impact on the racial diversity of colleges and universities for generations to come.

Today’s landmark ruling undermines Fourteenth amendment protections, reduces opportunities in higher education, further disenfranchises students of color, and may lead to more acts of discrimination and racism at predominately white institutions (PWIs).

The consequences of this ruling will be far reaching within American society.  A less diverse student population at some of the nation’s best colleges and universities may lead to a less racially diverse candidate pool for career opportunities.  This will likely exacerbate inequalities in housing, healthcare, and other critical areas of need.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. refuses to remain silent on these trends to roll back hard-fought civil rights gains and to disenfranchise Black and marginalized communities.

Elections have consequences, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will continue to develop leaders and advocates to engage in all levels of our Democracy.  Alpha Phi Alpha will also continue its investment in the youth to minimize the damaging effect of this ruling.


About Alpha Phi AlphaThe Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., headquartered in Baltimore, MD, was founded on December 4, 1906, at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. The Fraternity has long stood at the forefront of the African-American community’s fight for civil rights through Alpha men such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Adam Clayton Powell, Thurgood Marshall, Paul Robeson, Andrew Young, Edward Brooke and Cornel West. The fraternity, through its more than 720 college and alumni chapters and general-organization members, serves communities in the United States, Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. Visit and follow on Twitter @apa1906network.