Black America Today

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Community leaders across Pennsylvania are expressing a mixture of reflection, resolve, and renewed commitment following the decision to reinstall a slavery-focused historical exhibit that had previously been removed.

The exhibit — which documents the realities of enslavement, the transatlantic slave trade, and Pennsylvania’s complex role in America’s early history — has once again opened its doors to the public. Its return has sparked conversation across civic, educational, and faith communities.

Several elected officials and community advocates emphasized that confronting difficult history is essential to building a stronger future.

“This is not about politics,” one regional leader said. “It’s about truth. If we want healing, we have to acknowledge the full story — even the painful chapters.”

Pennsylvania holds a unique place in the nation’s history. While known for its role in founding American democracy and as a critical hub in the Underground Railroad, the state was also economically and socially tied to systems of enslavement in its early years.

“The exhibit reminds us that freedom in America did not begin equally for everyone,” a local historian noted. “Understanding that context matters.”

Clergy members from across the state have also weighed in, describing the exhibit’s return as an opportunity for education and moral reflection.

One pastor described the restoration as “a necessary step toward honest dialogue,” adding that faith communities have a responsibility to support truth-telling and reconciliation.

The language of hope and justice echoed sentiments long championed by civil rights advocates, including figures like the Rev. Jesse Jackson, whose message of confronting injustice while “keeping hope alive” continues to resonate in moments like this.

Teachers and education leaders say the exhibit provides critical context for students navigating today’s conversations about race, equity, and identity.

“When students see accurate history presented thoughtfully, it builds understanding rather than division,” said one school administrator. “Silence creates confusion. Education creates clarity.”

While some debate remains about how history should be presented in public spaces, many leaders agree that removing or minimizing difficult truths does not serve future generations.

The exhibit’s reinstatement signals what many describe as a recommitment to historical integrity.

“We can’t move forward if we erase where we’ve been,” one community advocate said. “This is about remembrance, respect, and responsibility.”

As visitors begin returning to the exhibit, conversations are expected to continue — not just about the past, but about how communities across Pennsylvania move toward a more inclusive future.

Leaders across Pennsylvania are responding to the decision to restore a slavery-focused historical exhibit, describing it as an important step toward preserving truth and fostering meaningful dialogue.

In a statement addressing the exhibit’s reinstatement, Governor Josh Shapiro emphasized the importance of confronting history in its entirety, noting that honest education strengthens democracy and civic understanding.

Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton highlighted the role of public institutions in ensuring that historical narratives reflect both the achievements and the injustices that shaped the Commonwealth. She underscored that education about slavery and its lasting impact remains critical to policy conversations today.

In Western Pennsylvania, Ed Gainey described the exhibit’s return as an opportunity for continued reflection and learning. He has consistently spoken about equity, inclusion, and ensuring that historical truths are not minimized.

Leadership from the NAACP Pittsburgh Branch also supported the exhibit’s restoration, calling it an essential reminder of the systemic foundations that continue to influence disparities in housing, education, and economic opportunity.

In Eastern Pennsylvania, Cherelle Parker acknowledged the importance of public history in shaping civic identity. Philadelphia’s deep historical ties to the nation’s founding make conversations about slavery and freedom especially complex and necessary, she noted in remarks supporting comprehensive historical representation.

While discussions continue around how history should be presented in public spaces, leaders across the Commonwealth appear aligned on one point: confronting difficult chapters of history is necessary for progress.

The exhibit’s return has reignited conversations statewide — not only about the past, but about how Pennsylvania continues working toward equity and inclusion.

On February 6, 2026, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro strongly condemned 

 a video shared on Truth Social by President Donald Trump that depicted former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as apes.

“I actually agree with Senator Tim Scott that it’s racist,” said the governor. “The idea that anyone would post a video like that, let alone the President of the United States, someone who’s supposed to find ways to bring us together, someone who’s supposed to appeal to our better angels. 

“This guy seems to always find a lower and lower common denominator,” he continued. “Here in Pennsylvania, we respect all people, no matter what they look like, where they come from, who they love, who they pray to or who they choose not to pray to. We don’t scapegoat others, and we certainly don’t peddle in racist videos and other racist statements like this President has made. He needs to do better.” Governor Shapiro vowed that Pennsylvanians would not get "sucked down into the depths that this President seems to reach for every day". 

The White House initially defended the post as a "Lion King" meme but deleted it several hours later, attributing the post to a staffer's error.

President Trump sparked national condemnation after sharing a video on Truth Social that contained a racist depiction of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. 

The imagery, appearing at the end of a 62-second video promoting 2020 election conspiracy theories, showed the Obamas' faces superimposed onto the bodies of apes. The clip was set to the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt initially dismissed the backlash as "fake outrage," describing the video as an internet meme portraying Trump as the "King of the Jungle. Following widespread bipartisan criticism—including from Republican Senator Tim Scott, who called it "the most racist thing I've seen out of this White House"—the post was deleted roughly 12 hours later. A White House official later claimed a staffer had "erroneously" shared it.

 The incident occurred during Black History Month, intensifying the backlash from organizations like the NAACP, which called the imagery a "stark reminder" of underlying biases.

On January 29 or 30, 2026, independent journalist Georgia Fort was arrested alongside former CNN host Don Lemon. The arrests occurred in connection with a protest at a Minnesota church that disrupted a service and was directed against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This incident follows a pattern of legal challenges for Fort and other independent journalists covering ICE-related events in Georgia and elsewhere: 

• Georgia Fort's Arrest: Fort, known for her work with BLCK Press, was taken into custody by federal agents. While early court filings briefly listed her as a defendant, recent reports indicate she and Lemon were facing federal charges related to the disruption of the service.
• Wider Context: These arrests have drawn sharp criticism from press freedom groups like the ACLU of Georgia and the Committee to Protect Journalists, who argue that such detentions are retaliatory acts aimed at silencing reporting on immigration enforcement.

Georgia Fort is a three-time Emmy Award-winning independent journalist, media executive, and entrepreneur known for her work in social justice reporting and founding BLCK Press and the Center for Broadcast Journalism. 

Professional Background

After being denied maternity leave as a news anchor, Fort left mainstream media to launch her own platforms to cover underreported stories. Her work focuses on amplifying diverse voices, providing context on social justice issues, and creating a more equitable media landscape. 

• Founder of BLCK Press: Launched in August 2020, BLCK Press is a multimedia storytelling company that connects news to Black culture. Their coverage of the George Floyd protests reached over 18 million viewers.
• President of Center for Broadcast Journalism: In 2022, she founded the nonprofit Center for Broadcast Journalism to increase Black and Brown representation in the media workforce. The organization later acquired Power 104.7 FM to further its mission.
• Emmy-Winning Program: In 2023, she launched Here's the Truth, an independently produced television news program that earned 12 regional Emmy nominations and won three.
• Key Reporting Moments: She was one of only two journalists in the courtroom during the sentencing of Derek Chauvin. 

 In a social media video, she stated she was being arrested for her constitutionally protected work as a member of the press. Fort is a recognized media leader, a 2025 Bush Fellow, and has been named to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal's "40 Under 40" list. You can find more information on her official website georgiafort.com.

Statements reported on the arrests circulating on social media, include the following:

The arrests have triggered sharp responses from both the government and legal representatives:

• Department of Justice: Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated that "a house of worship is not a public forum for your protest" and warned that journalism is not a "shield" for what she described as a criminal conspiracy. Attorney General Pam Bondi reiterated a "zero tolerance" policy for disruptions of religious services.
• Defense (Abbe Lowell, Attorney for Lemon): Lowell characterized the arrest as an "unprecedented attack on the First Amendment" and a "transparent attempt to distract" from controversies surrounding ICE. He emphasized that Lemon was performing "constitutionally protected work" no different from his 30-year career.
• Georgia Fort: In a Facebook Live video recorded during her arrest, Fort stated: "As a member of the press, I filmed the church protest a few weeks ago, and now I’m being arrested for that".
• Civil Rights Advocates: Nekima Levy Armstrong, also arrested in the sweep, called the charges "political retaliation" intended to silence reporting on the killing of Renee Good by ICE agents. 

After nearly 30 years at Walmart, Latriece Watkins will take over as CEO of Sam’s Club. 

Watkins, EVP and Chief Merchandising Officer for Walmart U.S., is being named President and CEO of Sam’s Club U.S. Watkins started her career with Walmart as an intern in 1997. Among her many successes, she reshaped the Walmart U.S. assortment strategy, drove operational excellence, and ensured a consistent, trusted shopping experience. Watkins has held a wide range of leadership roles across Sam’s Club, Walmart U.S. merchandising, People and U.S. store operations.

Watkins has spent her entire professional career within Walmart Inc., rising through various leadership levels. 

• Early Career: She joined Walmart in 1997 as a real estate intern. Over the next two decades, she held numerous roles across merchandising, human resources, and U.S. store operations.
• Senior Leadership: Before becoming CEO of Sam's Club, she served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer for Walmart U.S., a position she held starting in 2023.
• Key Contributions: She is credited with transforming Walmart’s assortment strategy to appeal to a broader demographic, including higher-income shoppers. She also led the company's Shared Value Network team, which focuses on increasing racial equity in the criminal justice system.

As CEO, Watkins is tasked with leading a division that currently generates over $90 billion in annual sales across nearly 600 locations. Her immediate goals include: 

• Competing with Costco: Strengthening Sam's Club's value proposition to more directly challenge its main rival in the warehouse club sector.
• Private Label Growth: Expanding and improving the Member’s Mark brand, which currently accounts for roughly one-third of the club's revenue.
• Tech-Driven Growth: Aligning with Walmart’s "People Led, Tech-Powered" initiative to enhance the omnichannel and digital shopping experience. 

Following her appointment as President and CEO of Sam's Club U.S. in January 2026, Latriece Watkins shared her vision for the role, emphasizing a focus on culture, membership growth, and the integration of technology in retail. 

In a LinkedIn post, Watkins expressed her honor in leading the "next chapter" of Sam's Club, focusing on "protecting and amplifying our culture, fully leveraging the power of our company, and winning omnichannel retail together and with intention". She highlighted the unique aspects of the brand, noting the pride associates take in serving members, the focus on value and quality, and teamwork. Watkins, who started as a Walmart intern in 1997, views her career success as "personal" and attributes it to "consistency, humility, and the willingness to do the hard work when no one is watching". 

Drawing from her experience as Walmart's Chief Merchant, Watkins plans to bring a customer-first philosophy to Sam's Club. She emphasizes starting conversations with the customer to understand their needs and how to serve them. Watkins also describes Walmart Inc. as an "'and' company," balancing being "people-led and tech-powered" with "execution and innovation".

Watkins holds degrees from Spelman College (B.A. in Political Science) and the University of Arkansas School of Law (Juris Doctorate). She serves on the board of directors for Live Nation Entertainment and is involved with local organizations like the Thaden School and the Mercy Health Foundation of Northwest Arkansas. 

OP-ED January 9, 2026

BY: Wisdom O. Cole is the Senior National Director of Advocacy for the NAACP. 

As the dawn of a new year emerged - a time of hope, optimism, and excitement for what's to come - Keith Porter, 43, was fatally shot by an off duty U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Los Angeles, CA. Not long after, on January 7 in Minneapolis, MN, 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was shot in her car and killed by an ICE officer. These acts of domestic terrorism not only took two parents from their families, but are a threat to  everyone's safety. No community in America should be subjected to violence as a result of federal enforcement actions. 

As we reach the 1 year mark of the second Trump Administration, I see the rise in our collective anxiety, fear, and frustration with the state of our increasingly authoritarian nation. The Trump Administration's tenure has prioritized public fear under the guise of public safety by protecting these officers' crimes against the public. As we see the highest office in the nation forgo the rule of law, I ask the question of myself and of us: what are we to do when authoritarianism comes for you?

Last year, Donald Trump started his new tenure with an attack on immigrants through ICE raids across the country. These raids created a divisive narrative among communities of color, posing questions of whose problem this was, who was at fault for putting Trump back into office, and who is responsible for addressing the issue. This narrative that the ICE raids were not a Black issue was very difficult for me to digest. As someone whose identity is constantly bound between two worlds that often seem at war with one another, I know that the answers are not that simple. Throughout history we've seen that when they come for one of us they are planning to come for all of us. It's never a matter of if but when. That reality is playing out in real time as the Administration has cracked down on crime in cities across America led by Black elected leaders. I feel the ever present police state grows as our democratic institutions falter. In these dire times, how do communities resist and survive?

I often consider myself a third generation Black Panther Party (BPP) member, a part of what I would consider the legacy and revival movement. I attended University of California Santa Cruz during my undergraduate years, the same place where BPP co-founder Huey P. Newton got his PhD in the History of Consciousness. I participated in a state wide coalition called the Afrikan Black Coalition (ABC), which was inspired by and a part of the continuum of Black radical tradition of BPP survival programs pending revolution. Last summer forBlack August I reread the autobiographies of Panther leaders and realized the Party did present a framework for the fighting authoritarianism in our communities. The BPP's framework shows that when authoritarianism comes for you, we must analyze power, build survival infrastructures, and shape liberatory narratives.

Power is the ability to define phenomena and make it act in a desired manner. - Huey P. Newton

What we are experiencing in America - and frankly across the globe - is not by accident, it is rooted in capitalism, state sanctioned violence, and the abuse of power. The leaders of the BPP knew how important it was to analyze and name authoritarianism as structural and not just personal. More and more often I feel a sense of racial paranoia, asking myself if these things I am experiencing are really happening or if it's just my life. It is easy to disregard and disengage seeing the violence happening in our world. The normalization of overwhelming the public with bad public policy, increased state violence, and a lack of hope through these very difficult times is all purposefully to keep our minds in submission. But these are not just individual instances happening to random groups of people. IThey are deliberate and calculated attacks on those most marginalized in our communities. The Panthers knew that freedom began when communities defined a future for themselves outside of authoritarian control. We cannot just fight the symptoms, we have to identify and challenge the structure that continues to fuel this monster that seeks to destroy all of us.

We have survival programs to survive today, to survive tomorrows, until we get full control of our destiny. - Elaine Brown

Last Black August I took the practice of study, fast, train, fight quite literally. When the Trump Administration took back the executive office, my mind was not ready. The bombardment of an aggressive roll back of our rights and attack on our communities crippled my mind and damn near my body. It got to the point where I struggled breathing and could barely pick things off the ground. The Panthers knew how important it was to prepare their mind, body, soul, and spirit for what was to come pending revolution. They knew that it would not come lightly or just given to them, they had to prepare themselves and the community through survival and resistance programs. If the government was not going to feed our children, they did it themselves. In this time, I have been thinking a lot about how mutual aid will have to fill in the gap for many who the state has abandoned to meet their day to day needs. But this is what authoritarianism does, it isolates and eliminates. We have to counter through community care systems, food banks, community defense networks, mental health supports, political education, and safe spaces to provide resources. 

Revolution is about the need to re-evolve political, economic, and social justice, and people are not going to be free until they have some sense of power. - Bobby Seale

Lately, I have been in many discussions about  messaging and language. Much of the language used in politics is intentionally chosen to keep many from understanding what is truly going on. How can you fight back when you don't even understand what's going on, who the real enemy is, and what tools are available to support your community to fight back? Many of the things that we once had are being eliminated in the blink of an eye or preemptively being rolled back out of fear for loss and I can't even understand the words that are coming out of the mouth of my chosen advocate or elected president, especially one who spews misinformation as absolute truth. The Panthers understood that language is power and by keeping things direct, accessible, and unfiltered, people could connect to a sense of power. They recognized the use of art, writing, and speeches can make you want to get up on your feet and reach for the heavens because you felt something that touched the core of who you are - and married it to the core of who we ever desired to be. We must shape our narrative and our lived reality. Authoritarianism thrives on fear and disinformation, we have to counter it with truth, clarity, and hope.

When I was in college, a good friend of mine asked me if I was around in the 60s, did I think I would have been a part of the Black Panther Party. I said no. I don't think I had the knowledge of self, the experience to fight, and wherewithal to endure all I knew the Panthers went through. That friend shared a quote with me from Huey P. Newton:  "The revolution has always been in the hands of the young…the young always inherit the revolution." I have held that quote dear to my heart for the last decade of my organizing career. As we are being pushed back into a 1960s reality I am reminded that even in the face of oppression, communities can survive, resist, and reimagine freedom. Authoritarianism is not inevitable. But we must act collectively, courageously, and with vision to survive.

Source: NAACP 

The plethora of quotes regarding foundations testify to their importance.  Some of the foundation quotes are as follows:   

• “The tallest towers begin with a single brick laid with care.”
• “Strength is not born overnight; it is forged in the foundations we lay daily.”
• “Secure foundations are silent victories that sustain us through life's loudest battles.”
• “Underneath every success story is a map of hard work and foundational resilience.”
• “A solid foundation is the compass that steers dreams to reality.”
• “Foundations are the ink in the pen writing your destiny.”
• “The foundational steps are the soul of every achievement.”
• “The purpose of a foundation is not seen, but its power is felt.”

(See, https://aigift.alibaba.com/quotes/strong-foundation-quotes)   

When it comes to Black women becoming physicians, strong foundations constitute a sine que non because Black women continue to be significantly underrepresented among physicians. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, they make up 2.8% of doctors in the U.S. This percentage is significantly lower than Black women’s representation within the total female population in society at 13%. (Forbes, May 19, 2025).  Dr. Alexandria Echols-Simpson is not only among that 2.8% but she is also a Black woman who “is doing it all,” i.e., married, mother of 4 children, co-parent of a stepson during his early childhood years, successful medical practice, and public servant.  She graduated from the University of Michigan in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.  In 1999, she graduated from Case Western Reserve University as a Doctor of Medicine.   

Regarding her medical practice, Dr Echols-Simpson is a board-certified family physician and has been in practice since 1999.  During the early years she did obstetrical care along with primary care.  As her family grew, she moved away from obstetrics and continued to provide care ranging from newborns to geriatric patients, focusing on women’s care and primary prevention of chronic medical problems.  She has practiced in an inner city, a suburb of a large metropolis, and, currently provides care in the rural Midwest.    

During a recent visit with Dr. Echols-Simpson, I asked her what contributed to the tremendous academic, athletic, and professional success throughout her extended family.  Without hesitating, she pointed to a picture of two women on the wall and said, “Those  women right there.  My maternal and paternal grandmothers provided a tremendous foundation for my parents which flowed down to my siblings and me.    

My paternal grandmother gave birth to five boys and three girls.  My father was the youngest.  My paternal grandfather died when my father was 2 years old, leaving my grandmother to raise the 8 children on her own.  She was big on education.  She instilled respect, discipline, kindness and love for one another.  She instilled a Christian foundation.  

My maternal grandmother, who was a few inches shy of 5 feet, raised 3 girls and 1 boy.  The boy grew to nearly 6’5”.  She was small but mighty.  She also was big on education and instilled the same Christian values as my paternal grandmother.  She commanded respect from her children and expected them to extend that same respect to others.  She also ingrained discipline, kindness and love for all.   

The foregoing values grew in my parents, became second nature to them, and were passed down to my siblings and me.  My parents also were involved and supportive, in everything, all the time, but not in a hovering way.  We went to church as a family, attended Sunday School and Bible study. They talked to us, asked about our day, and how school was.  They went to parent teacher conferences, and were involved in the PTA.  They supported us by being active in the boys and girl scouts.  They helped with coaching and cheered for us when we participated in various sports.  When we were right, they advocated for us.  When we were wrong, we were told we were wrong and we were appropriately corrected.  Their discipline was effective, seldom did we repeat the wrong.   

My parents knew who our friends were, they knew the parents of those friends. We had rules when we were out “socializing”.  Don’t go into anybody’s house, don’t go across “such-and-such” street.  Be in the house before the streetlights came on.  If a rule was broken, we faced the consequences.  And again, seldom did we repeat the wrong.  This is just part of the foundation that got me to where I am now.  I hope I am living up to the standards set forth by my parents and grandparents.  I hope my husband and I are instilling these values, not only in our children but also being an example for our community.”   

Dr. Echols-Simpson’s emphasis on foundational values and behavior led me to ask her, “When it comes to parenting during the 21st Century AI Universe, what advice would you give to parents of preschool children?”  She responded as follows, “Regarding AI being incorporated into our families, homes and communities, especially those families with preschool children, parents should remember that they are “the parents”, not Alexa, Siri or Curio (an AI toy for tots).   

Parents, humans, should be the main primary caregivers tending, teaching, guiding, hugging, playing, talking, tucking in, comforting, and giving advice to the children, not a computer.  This is especially true for preschoolers who are very moldable. I believe children love and appreciate when their parents have “hands on” interactions, especially when the interactions are done in a loving manner.   

AI can be helpful when needing an answer to something you typically would have to “look up” or “Google”. It also can be helpful for educational support when teaching colors, numbers, ABCs, etc.  However, it cannot offer human-to-human contact, the parent to child interaction that builds trust, socialization skills, and the strong foundation that will help the child become successful in all aspects of their lives. It is recommended that children should not have more than 2 hours of screen time daily. It is likely that, soon, there will be recommendations regarding limits on AI interaction, too. AI should not be used as a baby-sitter or friend for children. Parents need to parent.”   In sum, modifying one of this article’s initial quotes, ““Strength is not born overnight; it is forged in the foundations we lay daily, starting with parents being parents.”

Dr. Alexandria Echols-Simpson has demonstrated the value of phenomenal Black women doing so over decades.   

Jack L. Daniel 

Co-founder, Freed Panther Society 

Contributor, Pittsburgh Urban Media 

Author, Negotiating a Historically White University While Black 

January 12, 2026     

The statue of Barbara Rose Johns, an African American civil rights leader who led a student strike at her segregated Virginia high school in 1951, now stands in the U.S. Capitol. It replaces a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and honors her fight for equal education and lasting impact on American history.

According to CBS News, the unveiling in Emancipation Hall drew Virginia officials, members of Congress, and more than 200 of Johns’ relatives. The Eastern Senior High School choir performed songs like “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ’Round,” setting a celebratory tone for the historic moment.

At just 16, Johns led hundreds of her classmates at R.R. Moton High School in Farmville, Virginia, in a protest against poor school conditions. Their strike attracted NAACP lawyers, contributing to the Brown v. Board of Education case that ended school segregation in 1954.

The bronze statue shows Johns holding a worn book above her head beside a lectern. Its pedestal reads, “Are we going to just accept these conditions, or are we going to do something about it?” and includes the Biblical line, “And a little child shall lead them.” It symbolizes her courage and leadership at a young age.

The statue replaces the Robert E. Lee figure, which stood for 111 years before being removed in 2020 amid renewed attention to Confederate monuments. Virginia leaders said the change honors a true patriot who fought for justice rather than a figure tied to slavery.

Sculpted by Steven Weitzman, the statue now joins the National Statuary Hall Collection in the Capitol’s Crypt, representing Virginia alongside George Washington. Visitors can see it as part of a larger display of 35 statues across the Capitol, celebrating influential Americans.

After her activism, Johns became a librarian, raised five children, and continued to make a quiet impact until her death at 56. Her story is remembered at the Virginia Civil Rights Memorial, and her former high school is now a museum and National Historic Landmark.

Source: BlackNews