Stacey Abrams predicts she’ll be president by 2040

Stacey Abrams, former minority leader of the Georgia House, has a prediction she believes will come true: becoming president. 

In an interview with FiveThirtyEight for its “When Women Run” project, Abrams was asked of her political ambitions and whether the country will elect a black female president in the next 20 years, her answer: “Yes, absolutely.”  

“That’s my plan and I’m very pragmatic,” she said with a smile. 

Do you think the country will elect a woman president in the next 20 years?
Stacey Abrams: Yes.

Do you think they'll elect a black woman?
Stacey Abrams: Yes.

Do you think they'll elect you?
Stacey Abrams: Yes. That's my plan. And I'm very pragmatic. https://t.co/J9Tnmzslnr pic.twitter.com/R0i1GJ5oNn

— FiveThirtyEight (@FiveThirtyEight) January 31, 2020

READ MORE Stacey Abrams confirms she’d consider being VP: ‘I will not diminish my ambition’

Clare Malone inquired whether Abrams finds people questioning whether the country is ready for a black woman to take office tiresome.

“When something new is on the horizon, we are usually both equally curious and afraid. I don’t begrudge the question but I resent an answer that doesn’t accept the wholeness of who I am,” the Georgia Democrat said. 

Believing that she is electable as president, she also shined a light on the barriers of the system, a system in which she has challenged with her focus on Fair Fight, an initiative she started to promote fair elections and voter suppression.  

“I’m not solely an avatar for black women but I am a proud avatar of both of those things because it stands as an example to others of what’s possible,” Abrams said. “ But we also have to recognize that electability is not simply a question of whether you have the capacity and if people want you, it’s also if the system will allow it to happen.” 

READ MORE Stacey Abrams tackles voter suppression in new book due out in June

In November 2018, Abrams famously made waves during her run to become the nation’s first African American woman to become elected governor but lost the election by 1.4 percentage point. The then-Democratic nominee also refused to concede defeat against her opponent, Brian Kempt, a Republican secretary of state, describing him as an “architect of voter suppression.”

Malone posed the question around Abrams being discussed as a “potential vice presidential pick as a way to balance out a white nominee at the top of the ticket and how her race and gender placed first and foremost. 

“I accept that I exist in the political zeitgeist in a very specific way,” she said.

Adding that questions surrounding that are raised and sustained around race and gender is due to “the story that lies behind it.”

“I am a very accomplished person who has experience in a realm of issues and has the capacity to do this job. So, while I may chafe a bit at what spawns the question, I’m very proud of why I’m even in the conversation because I’m not in the conversation just because I’m a black woman.”

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Southern University becomes first HBCU to launch CBD oil product ALAFIA

Southern University and A&M College, the largest historically black university in Louisiana, has made its mark in a major way with the launch of its own hemp-derived CBD product: ALAFIA.

It's official! CBD products are now available from @SouthernU_BR @suagcenter medicinal marijuana provider @IleraHealthcare . Thanks to Ruston Henry and the team at H&W Drugstore Dispensary in New Orleans for hosting the press announcement this morning. #WeAreSouthern pic.twitter.com/RyOYzbLApz

— Robyn Merrick (@MerrickRobyn) January 30, 2020

According to Forbes, ALAFIA, which comes from a Yoruba language meaning “inner peace,” is a result of a partnership between the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Baton Rouge and Ilera Holistic Healthcare.

“The lab tested and pesticide-free products will be available for over-the-counter purchase across the U.S. soon, the makers say, in compliance with the 2018 Farm Bill,” the article states. 

READ MORE Cory Booker announces initiative that would provide almost $100 billion to HBCUs

Ilera Holistic Healthcare’s chairman, Osagie Imasogie, said the hemp product was created “with patients in mind” and is “proud of this partnership with Southern [University] and pleased to know our product will be available to the people of Louisiana and beyond.”

The line will only be able to select locations across the state of Louisiana featuring two products: Isolate CBD and Full Spectrum CBD. Additional products will be released at a later date, according to a company spokesperson. 

Yahoo! Finance reported that ALAFIA is available for nationwide sales and distribution.

Chanda Macias, Ph.D., CEO of Ilera Holistic Healthcare and Women Grow, said the goal of ALAFIA was to create “wellness products at affordable price points.”

READ MORE HBCU helps Bahamas students impacted by Dorian with offer of free semester

“No one should endure the stress of trying to balance a healthy lifestyle at high costs; that within itself is unhealthy,” Macias said. 

Macias says the new venture is history in the making as Southern University being the first HBCU to produce its own product line is groundbreaking.

“When you think of the rich history Southern University holds here in Louisiana, this launch only mirrors the monumental impacts this higher education institution has made in this country,” Macias said. “As an alum of an HBCU, Howard University, I am truly humbled and proud to be a part of this historic moment.”

Ray L. Belton, president of Southern University, praised the successful partnership.

“This is an exciting time for healthcare and business here in the state of Louisiana, and Southern is honored to be a part of it all.”

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White Nationalists are Everywhere. This Time, in the U.S. Coast Guard

Possibly the most insidious thing about white nationalism is that its disciples can and do pop up any and everywhere. White nationalism isn’t a profession. Racists don’t tend to include it in their LinkedIn profiles. They don’t work in designated buildings wearing clearly identifiable uniforms. Nope, because that…

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Terry Crews apologizes to Gabrielle Union following ‘AGT’ backlash

The ongoing controversy surrounding actors Terry Crews and Gabrielle Union on their opposing takes of the “toxic culture” of NBC’s America’s Got Talent has now lead to a public apology.

Last week, Union responded to Crews’ praise of the diversity of the competition show she judged before her firing in November 2019 after bringing light to the sexist and racial discrimination on set. Union felt Crews’ insistence of diversity was an attempt to throw her “under the bus” and undermined her claims. 

READ MORE Gabrielle Union has ‘productive’ meeting with NBC execs over AGT toxic workplace complaints

The AGT host expressed his apologies in a series of tweets. He claimed a recent conversation with comedian Kevin Hart to “acknowledge the pain of other people,” and it made him now want to practice what he preached. “I realize there are a lot of Black women hurt and let down by what I said and also by what I didn’t say,” he tweeted.

I hear you, I respect you and understand you. I am sorry and I am here to support you. I spoke from my own personal point of view without first taking into consideration someone else’s experience.

— terry crews (@terrycrews) January 31, 2020

@itsgabrielleu, I want you to know it was never my intention to invalidate your experience— but that is what I did. I apologize. You have been through a lot in this business, and with that I empathize with the struggle toward fairness and equality in the workplace.

— terry crews (@terrycrews) January 31, 2020

In now-deleted tweets that were captured by the Daily Mail UK, Crews had a much different response to initial criticism of invalidating Union’s claims. On January 27, Crews cryptically tweeted, “‘I’m a hog. You’re a chicken. Just ‘cuz you gave me eggs – Don’t mean I owe you bacon.”

He followed up in another deleted tweet, saying, “There is only one woman on earth I have to please. Her name is Rebecca. Not my mother, my sister, my daughters or co-workers. I will let their husbands/boyfriends/partners take care of them. Rebecca gives me wings.”

READ MORE Nick Cannon let it be known that he has Gabrielle Union’s back in her claims against ‘AGT’

Many people online reacted to Crews in anger, reminding the AGT host of Union’s support and that of other black women in 2017 when he shared allegations of sexual assault. He accused former WME agent Adam Venit of inappropriately touching him at a party in 2016. 

Wait… not after all those Black women, Gabby included, stuck their necks out for you? This is beyond foul, not to mention nonsensical – is it only women w/ partners deserving of protection? Really should have just sat there and ate your tootsie rolls.

— Angela (@TheKitchenista) January 27, 2020

Others such as television host and professor Marc Lamont Hill weighed in with doubt of the sincerity of the apology.

People make mistakes. Apologies are important. Terry Crews’ response, however, feels like damage control rather than contrition. It’s hard to believe he just had an epiphany after a week of doubling down on his initial remarks. This feels like a publicist rather then a principle.

— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) February 1, 2020

 

Union’s husband, NBA legend Dwyane Wade did not seem convinced.

“Someone please take @terrycrews phone” Wade wrote and retweeted a comment calling Crews’ statements into question.  

‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️ https://t.co/caBqjd493a

— DWade (@DwyaneWade) February 1, 2020

 

Union has yet to respond to his apology. 

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Kobe Bryant’s sisters issue statement after tragic death: ‘Our lives are forever changed’

Nearly a week following the unexpected, tragic death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash on Jan. 26 that also killed his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others, Bryant’s sisters have broken their silence. 

In an exclusive statement to iOne Digital, Sharia Washington and Shaya Tabb released a public statement on behalf of the Bryant family. They also shared photos of their late brother, 41, their parents, Gianna, and family members. 

Washington and Tabb say they’re “grieving” along with Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, 37, who released a public statement, and his daughters Natalia, 17, Bianka, 3, and Capri, 7 months.  

READ MORE What Kobe Bryant’s death has taught me about how Black men mourn

“On behalf of our family, we join Vanessa, Natalia, Bianka, and Capri in grieving the loss of Kobe and Gianna in such a tragic accident,” the statement read. 

“We are devastated by the loss of our brother, son, our niece and granddaughter, and our hearts go out to all the families who lost their loved ones on Sunday. Our lives are forever changed.

Thank you for your prayers, the numerous calls, texts, emails, and cards.”

View this post on Instagram

On behalf of our family, we join Vanessa, Natalia, Bianka and Capri in grieving the loss of Kobe and Gianna in such a tragic accident. We are devastated by the loss of our brother, son, our niece and granddaughter, and our hearts go out to all the families who lost their loved ones on Sunday. Our lives are forever changed. Thank you for your prayers, the numerous calls, texts, emails and cards. Please visit MambaOnThree.org to support the families affected by Sunday’s tragedy and to honor Kobe and Gianna’s legacy, please visit: MambaSportsFoundation.org #Mambacita #Mamba #Family #GirlsDad – Sharia Washington and Shaya Tabb

A post shared by Sharia Washington (@shariafit) on Jan 31, 2020 at 12:43pm PST

 

Kobe’s sister’s also shared where fans could make donations in honor of their brother, niece and other victims of the helicopter crash.

“Please visit MambaOnThree.org to support the families affected by Sunday’s tragedy and to honor Kobe and Gianna’s legacy, please visit: MambaSportsFoundation.org
#Mambacita #Mamba #Family #GirlsDad.”

READ MORE Kobe Bryant ‘girl dad’ viral clip inspires men to share father-daughter pictures

The tributes continued to pour in for Kobe as Vanessa shared a photo of Kobe and Gianna’s jerseys that were displayed at the Staples Center on courtside seats Friday night. The empty seats were decorated with flowers ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers playing their first game since Kobe’s death against the Portland Trail Blazers.

“There is no #24 without #2,” Vanessa captioned, “❤️#GirlDaddy #DaddysGirl #MyBabies ❤️❤️ #OurAngels”

View this post on Instagram

There is no #24 without #2. ❤️#GirlDaddy #DaddysGirl #MyBabies ❤️❤️ #OurAngels #KobeandGigi

A post shared by Vanessa Bryant 🦋 (@vanessabryant) on Jan 31, 2020 at 9:12pm PST

 

Vanessa also shared an Instagram story of a purple and gold sunset in honor of her husband and daughter. It has been a loss that has shattered her family.

“There aren’t enough words to describe our pain right now. I take comfort knowing that Kobe and Gigi both knew that they were so deeply loved,” she said in her first statement after the crash. “We were so incredibly blessed to have them in our lives. I wish they were here with us forever. They were our blessings taken from us too soon.”

She questioned what life will hold for her and her three daughters beyond their passing in their “new reality” but described their love for Kobe and Gianna – nicknamed Gigi – as “immeasurable.”

 

 

 

 

 

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