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CBC Chairman Talks HBCUs, Impeachment and #RootOutRacism

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By Lauren Victoria Burke (NNPA Newswire Contributor)

During a conference call with reporters, Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.), the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), pledged to revisit the debate around impeachment when Congress returns after Labor Day and announced a new campaign to #RootOutRacism in the White House.

Richmond promised a “robust discussion” about impeachment by the CBC when Congress returns on September 5. The House of Representatives hasn’t been in session since July 28; members often travel to their home districts during the August recess.

With more than 400 days until the midterm elections of 2018, the CBC reaffirmed a position against the Trump Administration that would indicate that not much will change until Democrats are able to win a majority in the House or Senate. Richmond insisted that the CBC will continue to focus on policies that impact African Americans, rather than the political spectacle that fills hours of cable news broadcasts.

In response to President Trump’s recent comments about the White nationalists’ rally in Charlottesville, Va., that was attended by Ku Klux Klan members, neo-Nazis and White supremacists, the CBC has reaffirmed a hard stance against the Trump Administration. The CBC declined an invitation to meet with Trump, weeks ago.

“Things will always reveal themselves if [we] give people time to do it,” said CBC Chairman Cedric Richmond (D-La.) regarding President Trump. Richmond mentioned that members of the CBC held a recent conference call and that civil disobedience had not been ruled out as they confront Trump’s policies.

“We’ve come to the conclusion that we are in a sad and shameful place,” Richmond told reporters. He then pointed to Trump advisors Sebastian Gorka and Stephen Miller by name as two members of the administration who, in his view, should not continue to work at the White House because of their White supremacist views.

“The people who work in the White House should not be White nationalists or White supremacists,” added Richmond. “This country is having a crisis of leadership.”

In a June 9 invitation, Trump had requested that all of the members of the CBC meet with him on a quarterly basis. On June 21, CBC leadership declined any further meetings with the president. Members of the five-person CBC board met with President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence on March 22.

On the question of impeachment, Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has balked at the idea that House Democrats would back impeachment proceedings for this president and has pressed members not to call for such a move.

But three Black Caucus members, Rep. Al Green (D-Texas), Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) and Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.) have supported the idea. Rep. Green has gone as far as drafting detailed articles of impeachment.

Richmond was also critical of the president’s response to the needs of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

“They brought all those HBCUs to town. They took a picture in the Oval Office and then they did nothing,” said Richmond. “If you look at President Trump’s budget, he has a number of actions in it that actually hurt HBCUs.”

White House Communications Director for the Office of Public Liaison, Omarosa Manigault is organizing the annual HBCU conference scheduled for September 17-September 19 in Washington, D.C.

“He still has a [HBCU] commission, he still hasn’t named anyone to,” said Richmond. “Omarosa is still pretending to have influence with this president. I’m just surprised that she’s still there as an African American woman after his latest comments.”

Richmond said that he wouldn’t be surprised, if many of the HBCU presidents declined to show up for the annual event.

“If they postpone it, great. If they cancel it, great,” said Richmond. “What I’d rather see, besides a conference and a fly-in day, is some substantive policies to help these schools with their scholarships, with their campuses, with their infrastructure.”

Richmond continued: “I don’t think you need a conference in [Washington, D.C.] to do that. This White House is not serious about improving our HBCUs, our institutions of advancement.”

Lauren Victoria Burke is the White House Correspondent for NNPA Newswire. Lauren appears on “NewsOne Now” with Roland Martin every Monday. Connect with Lauren by email at [email protected] and on Twitter at @LVBurke.

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Headline: FAMU Homecoming Injuries, Discarded Ballots & Rising Holiday Costs 📱

A FAMU homecoming turns tragic, election ballots are found in a park, and inflation hits your holiday plans. Get the full story on Black Press USA’s Morning Show.

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A FAMU homecoming celebration takes a troubling turn, with 12 people injured, including six children. Meanwhile, two bins of undelivered ballots are discovered in a Seattle park dumpster, raising questions about election security.

Plus, Thanksgiving dinner could cost families more this year, and soaring chocolate prices are putting a damper on Halloween candy sales.

From public safety and election integrity to the rising cost of everyday life, we’re breaking down the headlines and the stories impacting our communities.

Watch Black Press USA’s Morning Show for the headlines, the context, and the conversation behind the news.

#BlackPressUSA #MorningShow #BlackNews #FAMU #ElectionNews #CostOfLiving

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Headline: FAMU Homecoming Injuries, Discarded Ballots & Rising Holiday Costs

From the FAMU homecoming tragedy to election ballot concerns and rising holiday costs, we break down the news impacting our communities. Watch the latest report.

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News graphic showing FAMU homecoming injury headlines, discarded ballot reports, and rising holiday cost inflation statistics.

A FAMU homecoming celebration takes a troubling turn, with 12 people injured, including six children. Meanwhile, two bins of undelivered ballots are discovered in a Seattle park dumpster, raising questions about election security.

Plus, Thanksgiving dinner could cost families more this year, and soaring chocolate prices are putting a damper on Halloween candy sales.

From public safety and election integrity to the rising cost of everyday life, we’re breaking down the headlines and the stories impacting our communities.

Watch Black Press USA’s Morning Show for the headlines, the context, and the conversation behind the news.

#BlackPressUSA #MorningShow #BlackNews #FAMU #ElectionNews #CostOfLiving

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OTR @ Par 365

Thomas Jackson discusses his journey from pandemic golfer to the founder of Par365, a Roseville space dedicated to making the sport accessible and community-focused.

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Host speaking into a microphone during an OTR podcast episode at the Par 365 golf facility in Minnesota.

Thomas Jackson’s favorite part about being a Black business owner in Minnesota is the ability to create community, perspective, autonomy and authentic experiences.

On this episode of MSR On the Radar, Jackson joins host Damenica Ellis to talk about discovering golf during the COVID-19 pandemic and how that hobby became Par365, an indoor golf simulator, bar, restaurant and event space in Roseville that he and his wife opened in December 2023. Their mission was to make golf more accessible, more affordable and more approachable.

Jackson shares how breaking into the industry took marketing, local partnerships and social events, why intimidated newcomers needed extra encouragement, and the programming Par365 built in response, including Golf 101 sessions and a speaker series for middle and high school students. He also talks about moving from a corporate product development career to full-time entrepreneurship, balancing the business with family life, and his advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: compress your vision into a minimum viable product and grow at a reasonable pace.

Listen to the full conversation.

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OTR w LeBrent Speed

LeBrent Speed shares how his B3 Project is revolutionizing networking by prioritizing community impact and mentorship over simple sales.

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LeBrent Speed sitting in a studio chair for an On The Record interview with the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

LeBrent Speed founded The Better Black Business (B3) Project to intentionally combine commerce and community for Black entrepreneurs and authentic allies. Just over two years in, the professional networking program has more than 100 members and is expanding to other cities.

On this episode of MSR On the Radar, Speed shares how a licensed minister who always aspired to work in business became BNI’s first Black regional director, and why he saw a need for more intentional Black networking spaces. He explains B3’s founding principle of serving over selling, defines networking as the intentional pursuit of impactful relationships, and talks about his nonprofit, The Better Black Business Initiative, which trains Black youth, next-generation allies and justice-impacted people to become entrepreneurs.

Speed also discusses his first book, “The Transformation Code: 5 Keys to Transforming Your Life and Impacting the World,” and how it grew out of one of the lowest periods of his life.

Listen to the full conversation.

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OTR w Terresa Moses @ Black Garnett Books

Terresa Moses shares her journey from social justice design to running Black Garnet Books. Discover how she builds community through storytelling and entrepreneurship.

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Terresa Moses discussing her book OTR at Black Garnett Books in a Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder interview.

Terresa Hardaway says her favorite part of being a business owner is the chance to intentionally build community. In 2017, she co-founded Blackbird Revolt, a design studio focused on social justice, anti-racism and abolition. In 2024, she acquired Black Garnet Books.

Blackbird Revolt helps government agencies, nonprofits and grassroots organizations with branding, animation, video and audio production, fabrication and other creative work. At Black Garnet Books, Hardaway uses storytelling to show what Black liberation looks like, curating Black and Brown authors and hosting events that center community.

She also shares how she adapted her bookstore during Operation Metro Surge, how her network gave her the confidence to become an entrepreneur, and her advice for anyone starting a business: have a plan, know who you are, and surround yourself with people who will remind you when you forget.

Hardaway is an associate professor of graphic design and director of design justice at the University of Minnesota’s College of Design.

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Stay Focused: Make Your Vote Count This Election

Don’t let the headlines distract you from what matters. Watch Dr. Warren’s latest message on staying focused and making your voice count this November.

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Close-up of a voter using a ballot box with text overlay Stay Focused: Make Your Vote Count This Election.

🗳️🚨 Don’t let the headlines distract you from what matters! Dr. Warren urges voters to stay focused, look beyond the political scandals, and make their voices count at the polls this November. Watch the full From the Desk of the Editor episode now!

#StayFocused #Election2026 #FromtheDeskoftheEditor #VoiceAndViewpoint

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