Peyton Manning to sponsor 6 HBCU scholarships

Manning’s Peyback Foundation was founded in 1999 by Peyton and his wife, Ashley

Louisiana native and former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning has sponsored six endowed scholarships at historically Black colleges and universities, with the help of his foundation. 

Manning grew up in New Orleans and went to Isidore Newman High School. Now famed NFL wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. also attended the school. After high school, Manning attended the University of Tennessee. 

Former Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning stands on the field before a game between the Denver Broncos and the Cleveland Browns at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on December 15, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

The scholarship awards went go to universities in the two states where he received his education. Four went to HBCUs in his home state of Louisiana. The remaining two went to black colleges in Tennessee. 

Read More: HBCU campuses set to safely reopen with help of Thurgood Marshall College Fund, United Negro College Fund

The award for Grambling State University will bear the name of alumnus Doug Williams, the first Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl in 1987. 

Williams, who currently serves as senior vice president for the Washington Football Team first learned that an “anonymous donor” was behind the donation. 

He told ESPN, “Ha, you know I have my connections at Grambling. I made a phone call and found out it was Peyton Manning’s foundation and it was endowing a half-dozen scholarships at historically Black colleges and universities. Peyton is a Louisiana boy. I know he’s given to a lot of wonderful causes without publicity, but this was a most pleasant surprise for me.”

Impactful gesture by former Broncos QB Peyton Manning, whose PeyBack Foundation has endowed six scholarships for Historically Black Colleges & Universities. https://t.co/0ubjJuIXOR

— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) September 13, 2020

Another award honors Harold Carmichael, a well-known standout wide receiver from Southern University. The 2020 Pro Football Hall of Famer was a star player at the Baton Rouge HBCU before becoming a Philadelphia Eagles legend.

Carmichael told ESPN, “I feel the same as Doug when it comes to what Peyton’s foundation is doing with HBCUs. It’s really an honor to have my name on that scholarship. I go back a long time with Archie, his dad. We played in a Pro Bowl together. I know this is not necessarily an athletic scholarship — HBCUs are much more than that — but when I played at Southern, all I got was $14 a month for laundry and there were times when even that money missed payments. An endowed scholarship with my name attached? I am really humbled and blessed.”

Tennessee State received an endowed scholarship in the name of Wilma Rudolph. In 1960, the notable sprinter became the first woman to win three gold medals in one year at the Olympics.

Three other HBCU scholarship endowments went to pillars in the Black community, not known for athletics.

Read More: Mackenzie Scott, ex-wife of Jeff Bezos, donates millions to HBCUs

Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee has an endowment named after Dr. Reavis L. Mitchell Jr. Mitchell taught for 40 years as a history professor and is cited in many publications and documentaries for his knowledge of African American heritage. 

Xavier University of Louisiana’s endowment goes to Norman Francis, the school’s longtime president.  Francis received a presidential medal of freedom in 2006 for his efforts in planning the recovery and rebuilding of New Orleans and surrounding areas after Hurricane Katrina.

Dillard University, also in New Orleans, has an endowment named after Dr. Michael Lomax, president and CEO of the United Negro College Fund. He has been president since 2004 and is a former university president.

When ESPN contacted Manning, he declined to speak about his personal involvement with the scholarships. 

He did send this statement : “The Peyback Foundation is honored to partner with these six colleges to honor distinguished Alumni and staff members, and to help college students at these schools now and many years to come. Really, for perpetuity.”

Manning’s Peyback Foundation was founded in 1999 by Peyton and his wife, Ashley.

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Racism drives Vermont NAACP leader from her home

The leader of the Rutland County NAACP chapter in Vermont says she’s tried of combating racism in the town

Following months of racially-motivated harassment targeting her and her daughter, the director of the Rutland county chapter of the NAACP in Vermont is leaving her home.

Read More: Vikings honored George Floyd before their Sunday game

“I’m just repositioning myself, I’m not leaving,” Tabitha Moore told the Rutland Herald. “I’m going to continue to do the work in Rutland county and across the state. If anything, this just strengthens my resolve and lets me know we’re doing good work.”

According to the Herald, Moore, who started the chapter in Rutland county, said on Friday that she’s already found a buyer for her home, but is unsure where she and her family will relocate.

“It’s been heating up for a while, since June,” Moore said. “A number of nonspecific threats and different incidents have been growing.”

Included in the list of incidents was the vandalism of a wooden pallet that Moore had decorated for Wallingford Day and had on display in her front yard. The wooden pallet declared Black Lives Matter and in August, someone threw white paint on it.

WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 15: A logo is seen for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People as NAACP President and CEO Cornell William Brooks speaks during a press conference at the Lincoln Memorial June 15, 2015 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Moore said that her teenage daughter was also harassed online. The high schooler convinced the board at Mill River Union High, where she attends, to allow the Black Lives Matter flag to be flown. But an LGBT flag generated backlash from the community, prompting the school board to hold off on allowing any flags to be raised.

“At some point, you can only take so much,” Moore told VT Digger. “My daughter is getting threatened by people. Adults. I’m not OK with that. For a long time, my family has endured the rap that I’ve taken for the choices I’ve made to engage our community in conversation and movement around racism. But when it comes to my children — you know, I’m looking at this, and I’m like, I’m not OK. We are not OK.” 

Overwhelmed by it all, Moore has suspended her campaign for high bailiff, a countrywide seat. She has no intention of leaving Vermont, but campaigning, looking for a new home, and taking care of her loved ones doesn’t allow for it.

She added that Vermont isn’t a predominantly white state by accident. She claims that a eugenics program and fugitive slave laws from generations past have played a part in the racist mindset of many of the community members.

A native of Wallingford where her family goes back six generations, Moore said the town is full of good people, hence the reason she’s stayed so long.

Read More: Nashville NAACP leader finds bullseye target in yard

“If we are to end systemic racism, we must remain committed. We must remain in it,” Moore explained.

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Bloomberg to spend at least $100M to help Biden in Florida

A victory for Biden in Florida would significantly complicate Trump’s path to victory.

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is committing at least $100 million to help Joe Biden’s presidential campaign in the crucial battleground state of Florida.

Bloomberg’s late-stage infusion of cash reflects Democrats’ concerns about the tight race in a state that is a priority for President Donald Trump. A victory for Biden in Florida, the largest of the perennial battleground states, would significantly complicate Trump’s path to reaching the 270 Electoral College votes needed to secure a second term.

Democratic presidential candidates former New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg (L) and former Vice President Joe Biden speak during a break during the Democratic presidential primary debate at Paris Las Vegas on February 19, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Republicans, however, feel confident in their chances in the state, pointing to GOP wins in 2018 and stronger-than-expected turnout in 2016 as evidence the state is trending in their direction. They’ve invested millions in Florida focused on Latino outreach and boosting their field operation, and the state’s size and diversity makes campaigns there expensive.

Read More: Michael Bloomberg donating $100M to historically Black medical schools

In a sign that Bloomberg’s planned investment put Trump on alert, however, the president tweeted out his disdain for Bloomberg on Sunday morning, referencing the attacks the businessman received at a Democratic primary debate in February from Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

“I thought Mini Mike was through with Democrat politics after spending almost 2 Billion Dollars, and then giving the worst and most inept Debate Performance in the history of Presidential Politics. Pocahontas ended his political career on first question, OVER! Save NYC instead,” he tweeted.

The billionaire Bloomberg launched his own campaign for the Democratic nomination late last year amid worries about Biden’s strengths. Despite spending $1 billion on his campaign, Bloomberg struggled and dropped out in March, quickly endorsing Biden.

Mike Bloomberg has a reputation for "getting the job done" and I pray for another success. Vote Joe Biden! https://t.co/uR1SeWyZZm

— Joyce Glennon – FL GAL (@jglennon1) September 13, 2020

One of the world’s wealthiest men with a net worth estimated to exceed $60 billion, Bloomberg promised throughout his campaign that he would help Democrats try to defeat Trump regardless of how his own White House bid fared.

He exited the presidential race pledging to spend “whatever it takes” to defeat Trump, and has already invested millions to support Democrats up and down the ballot. Bloomberg transferred $18 million from his presidential campaign to the Democratic National Committee, and transferred its offices in six key swing states to the local Democratic parties there.

The businessman has contributed $500,000 to Voto Latino to help register Latino voters, $2 million to the group Collective Future to help register African American voters, and $2 million to Swing Left, a group focused on electing Democrats in swing districts. One of the groups he has founded and funds, Everytown for Gun Safety, has committed to spending $60 million on elections this cycle, and Bloomberg himself has pledged another $60 million to support Democrats in House races.

Read More: Joe Biden leading President Trump in swing state polls

Bloomberg’s new spending is intended to boost Biden before the start of early voting in Florida, which begins on Sept. 24. A Bloomberg adviser said much of the money will go to television and digital advertising. Republicans are outspending Democrats by about $8 million in the state in future television ad reservations, according to a review of Kantar/CMAG data by The Associated Press.

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Southern Gulf states prepare for another storm

Meteorologists say that the storm is a slow mover and looks as if it will strengthen once it makes landfall

Just a couple weeks after Hurricane Laura ripped through areas in the Southern Gulf Coast, the region faces the threat of another storm. 

The National Hurricane Center currently points Hurricane Sally’s track to southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi with potential impacts to New Orleans and its surrounding areas. 

A Hurricane Warning for #Sally is also in effect for parts of southeastern #Louisiana and southern #Mississippi. Tropical storm force winds are likely to begin there on Monday. https://t.co/wVCrCIjDrB pic.twitter.com/sb0ZDH2FxI

— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 13, 2020

Local government leaders are urging residents along the storm’s track to make necessary preparations for strong winds, heavy rains and the chance of a storm surge. 

Read More: Hurricane Laura destroys Confederate monument after officials vote to keep it

Meteorologists say that the storm is a slow mover and looks as if it will strengthen once it makes landfall sometime between late Monday night into early Tuesday morning. 

Currently, the City of New Orleans is working hard to make sure drainage pumps are fully operational. This weekend two out of 99 pumps were down. Sewerage and Water Board workers fixed one of the pumps Saturday night and plans to have the other drainage pump back online on Sunday.

An aerial view from a drone shows a damaged apartment complex after Hurricane Laura passed through the area on August 29, 2020 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The hurricane came ashore bringing rain and high winds to the southeast region of the state, reaching wind speeds of 150 mph and a 9-12 feet storm surge. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

A couple weeks ago, residents in Louisiana near Lake Charles dealt with the devastating effects of Hurricane Laura.

The powerful storm claimed the lives of 16 people as it left a trail of destruction in southwest Louisiana. More than half of those who died were killed by carbon monoxide poisoning from the unsafe operation of generators.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said Hurricane Laura was the most powerful hurricane to strike the state, even surpassing  Katrina, which was a Category 3 storm when it hit 15 years ago. 

Read More: Twin storms headed for U.S. coast, Louisiana residents evacuate

Simply driving was a feat in Lake Charles. Power lines and trees blocked paths or created one-lane roads, leaving drivers to negotiate with oncoming traffic. The parish sheriff’s office posted an extensive update on their Facebook page of streets that were impassable.

A damaged Waffle House sign is seen on August 28, 2020 in Sulphur, Louisiana. Hurricane Laura came ashore bringing rain and high winds to the southeast region of the state, reaching wind speeds of 150 mph and a 9-12 feet storm surge. (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images)

Hurricane Laura also killed nearly two dozen people in Haiti and the Dominican Republic en route to the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Associated Press journalists Gerald Herbert, Nomaan Merchant, Melinda Deslatte in Baton Rouge, Rebecca Santana in New Orleans and Ellen Knickmeyer in Oklahoma City contributed to this report.

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Naomi Osaka Wins Her Second U.S. Open and Sends a Resounding Message That She Stands for Black Lives

Twenty-two year old tennis phenomenon Naomi Osaka won the U.S. Open tournament at Arthur Ashe Stadium in NYC on Saturday, netting her second U.S. Open title and her third Grand Slam win overall.

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