Category: Uncategorized

WASHINGTON – Over the past several months, organizers, volunteers and candidates have gone door-to-door encouraging voters to harness their power and turn out to vote. But after candidates and their campaigns have said all the right things, shown up to all the must-attend events, and pledged their support to all the causes that matter, accountability season begins.

“Accountability season starts now,” said Dr. David Johns, Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective and Editor-in-Chief of The Black Papers. “The 2026 midterm elections are over, and we still have work to do. Every elected official who won, and every candidate who wants our votes in 2028, must answer to the agenda that matters most to the American people.”

Now that the election has passed, we turn our focus to:

1. Building Political Power. We are fighting for policies that strengthen voter protections. Voter protections are tied directly to economic power, and this is critical for allowing Black communities to control our destiny better.
2. Policies that Create & Sustain Economic Opportunity. We expect elected leaders to advance policies that reverse Black job cuts, end the education and economic policies that destroy ladders of opportunity and widen the wealth gap, and build wealth we own and keep.
3. Changing the Narrative Around Health: Supporting the Belief that Health Care is a Right. We are organizing for guaranteed health care for everyone through a single public plan that centers people first.
4. Strengthening Community Safety and Justice. We want policies that ensure safety we can feel, and justice we can see.
5. Transforming the Systems. Our goal is to unrig the economy from billionaires, end war spending Congress never authorized, and rein in AI companies and data centers.

“We are not asking for the old arrangement,” Johns added. “The old arrangement is how we got here. Black people are not asking Washington to fix a few policies. We are demanding a political and economic system that works for the people, not just for billionaires. People are already having this conversation at kitchen tables, in barbershops, in group chats, and in fellowship halls. Now, we’ve written it down via The Black Papers with the hopes of making it accessible.”

“It is true that our communities need immediate action to stop acute pain. But stopping the bleeding is not freedom, and harm reduction is not the systemic overhaul we demand. This agenda makes our expectations of elected officials clear: a durable, accountable plan to transform the systems that govern wealth, health, housing, education, safety, transportation, and political power. We stop the bleeding and build power at the same time. Every fight to stop harm also builds the organizations, relationships, and leverage we need for the next fight.”

For more information, view the forthcoming book, The Black Papers: A Policy Agenda for Black Liberation in the 21st Century. The resource will be published by Routledge on Nov. 13, 2026, and includes 26 chapters and more than 100 contributors.

“Accountability season begins now – on November 4, the day after the election. It carries us through the seating of the next Congress, the shifts in power that follow, and the run-up to the next presidential election. We will not relent until our agenda is materialized in policy and practice.”

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Central Ohio is getting a bookstore; this time in Columbus’ historic Olde Towne East neighborhood. Spotlight Books LLC will open its doors on November 21 at noon. The bookstore is owned by Jennifer R. Farmer, who leads the social justice public relations firm, Spotlight PR LLC. This Black woman-owned bookstore ushers in a new era for Olde Towne East as it’s the community’s first brick and mortar bookstore in more than a decade.

“When I was a child, Mount Vernon Avenue on Columbus’ East Side was a hub for culture, connection and community. The one thing that was missing was a bookstore,” said Jennifer R. Farmer, the founder of Spotlight Books. “Bookstores are often accessible in Columbus’ higher-income neighborhoods. Spotlight Books exists to give every child and young person on the Near East Side a place to stimulate their minds, sharpen their intellect, and spur a lifelong passion for learning.”

Spotlight Books is a culmination of Farmer’s professional work as a public relations expert of more than 24 years, a Columbus, Ohio native, author and booklover. The store will carry new and gently used books from authors from all backgrounds, with a focus on children’s and social justice titles. It will also showcase titles from Spotlight PR’s brilliantly gifted clients and partners, such as Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter, author of “Radical Reparations: Healing the Soul of a Nation;” Miami-based Ruth Jeannoel, author of “Restorative Practices: Circle Keeping for Community Healing;” D.C.-based Deepa Iyer, author of “We Are the Builders;” and Dr. David Johns, editor in chief of “The Black Papers: A Policy Agenda for Black Liberation in the 21st Century.”

The grand opening event will offer a first look at the store, an unveiling of murals created by acclaimed artists Nichole Burton; and jewelry created by local artist Beryl Thompson. This event will take place at noon on Nov. 21^st at 107 Parsons Avenue in Columbus, Ohio. Members of the media who are interested in attending should RSVP by emailing press@spotlightpr.org.

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Jennifer R. Farmer is an entrepreneur who values faith, community, and service. Since 2017, she has run the social justice public relations firm, Spotlight PR LLC, which works with leaders and organizations committed to social good. Spotlight Books grew out of that same commitment: to offer insightful, culturally uplifting books that inspire curiosity and a passion for learning in young readers.

• Adopt a Precinct and Daily Canvass Operations
• Daily Phone Banking and Text A Thons
• Election Protection Support
• Election Day Coverage via the Justice Broadcasting Network

NEW YORK — United Women in Faith today mourned the devastating impact of flash flooding in Nepal and called to urgently address climate injustice. They released the following statement:

“United Women in Faith grieves the tragedy brought by flash flooding in Nepal and caused by glacial collapse,” said Sally Vonner, general secretary and CEO of United Women in Faith. “With at least 1,100 people dead and approximately 4,000 still missing, it is a pressing reminder of the need for climate justice.”

“Although frontline communities such as this are least responsible for the climate crisis, they disproportionately suffer its effects,” Vonner continued. “Moreover, women and children are more likely to be displaced and suffer gender-based violence in the aftermath of natural disasters.”

“We ask our members and all others to join United Women in Faith in action by utilizing our environmental justice resources to make positive changes to reduce our climate impact,” Vonner said. “Those looking to give can support the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) International Disaster Relief and Recovery efforts.”

“United Women in Faith prays for the children, women, families and all impacted by this disaster,” concluded Vonner. “We call on world leaders to invest in disaster relief and environmental protection; everyone in a position of power holds a responsibility to mitigate future harm and stop leaving frontline communities behind.”

“UMCOR is finalizing a solidarity grant to support United Mission Nepal as they aid impacted communities in the Dhading and Nuwakot districts with emergency food and non-food item assistance,” added Roland Fernandes, General Secretary of UMCOR, Global Ministries and Higher Education & Ministry. “We are also actively working with other partners for broader response as they assess capacity and access the affected areas.”

“These devastating floods represent much more than a natural disaster,” Fernandes continued. “They serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of a warming planet as we see vulnerable communities paying with their homes, livelihoods, and lives, despite having done the least to cause this crisis. We must move beyond expressions of concern and commit to meaningful action, ensuring that disaster relief, climate justice, and environmental protection receive the investment and urgency they demand.”

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For Immediate Release

August 18, 2026

 WASHINGTON – The national racial equity organization Race Forward today announced that W. Kamau Bell will serve as an additional keynote for its 2026 Facing Race conference, taking place November 12-14, in Raleigh, NC. Kamau, a four-time Emmy and Peabody Award-winning comedian, filmmaker, podcast host, and author, joins previously announced keynote speaker Tressie McMillan Cottom, the sociologist, author and New York Times columnist. 

“This is a moment for those who want equity to prevail to unite,” said Race Forward President Glenn Harris. “We are delighted to have Kamau join our conference as he shares the same passion for democracy as our conference attendees. We believe he will offer an unvarnished yet hopeful take on what is possible when we refuse to accept the status quo.” 

Facing Race is the nation’s largest, multiracial, intergenerational, post-election gathering of racial justice advocates across the country. This one-of-a-kind gathering serves as a vital intersection where community organizers, activists, artists, educators, and movement makers come together to build collective power, sharpen strategy, and advance racial justice nationwide.

Kamau has a longstanding relationship with Race Forward, including previous appearances at Facing Race and past service on Race Forward’s board. 

Kamau is best known for hosting the Emmy award-winning CNN docuseries, United Shades of America, where he explored race, identity, and social issues across the nation. He is also a two-time New York Times bestselling author of Do the Work! An Antiracist Activity Book and a  contributing author to Who is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service. In addition to his work as a filmmaker, Kamau also hosts the Who’s With Me? podcast and Substack newsletter, and his current standup tour shares the same name.  

A limited number of media credentials are available for Facing Race. If you are interested in covering the conference, please complete this form by September 30: https://facingrace.raceforward.org/forms/media-credential.

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For Immediate Release

August 10, 2026

WASHINGTON – Race Forward today announced sociologist, author and professor Tressie McMillan Cottom as the keynote speaker for its biennial Facing Race convening, taking place November 12-14, 2026. Facing Race is the country’s largest gathering of racial justice organizers, advocates, scholars, artists, public and civic leaders, and movement builders. 

Dr. Cottom is a towering intellectual whose extensive body of work and public scholarship closely aligns with Race Forward’s work to build a truly multiracial democracy. Her work challenges us to reimagine and transform the systems that determine who is included, who is excluded, and who has the power to shape our collective future. 

“We are keenly aware that this conference is occurring at a time of increasing efforts to undermine democracy,” said Glenn Harris, president, Race Forward. “The throughline between event speakers will be a sharp analysis of the state of race and democracy at a time of unprecedented attacks on both. We could not be more thrilled to have Tressie McMillan Cottom with us. She is exactly who our movement needs.”

As the first post-election gathering of its kind, Facing Race will bring together leaders and practitioners from across the racial justice movement to strengthen alignment and expand the conditions needed for justice, equity, and democracy to thrive. For more than two decades, Facing Race has served as a space for connection and exploration.

The event will occur in North Carolina, the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement. North Carolina, and the South more broadly, has long been a bastion of civil rights struggle and innovation. For example, the founding of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) at Shaw University in Raleigh became a driving force for grassroots organizing across the South. 

The enduring leadership of Indigenous nations whose stewardship of this land predates the state itself, as well as the labor, cultural resistance, and organizing traditions of Black farmers, migrant workers, laborers, and freedom fighters who demanded dignity and justice in the face of systemic opposition. It is only appropriate that we return to the land of our ancestors, with the hope of learning from their triumphs and trials.

“Structural racism remains one of the greatest barriers to realizing a democracy where everyone is truly free,” Harris said. “This moment invites us to reimagine the future, the path forward and the ways in which we work and show up for one another. We will continue this work in North Carolina.”

Facing Race offers attendees unprecedented access to resources, information, cultural experiences, and collaborative opportunities designed to push racial equity forward across movements, sectors, and communities.

Throughout its history, Race Forward has consistently delivered this transformative experience, convening thousands in cities over the years, including Detroit, Atlanta, Dallas, Baltimore, Berkeley, New York, and St. Louis. Each chapter of Facing Race is intentionally rooted in place—honoring the people, histories, and movements that have shaped the fight for justice.

This biennial event has a limited number of media spots. If you are interested in applying for media credentials, please complete this form by September 30: https://facingrace.raceforward.org/forms/media-credential.

WASHINGTON – As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, millions are questioning whether democracy can truly deliver on its promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all. Race Forward will host a July 1 webinar to explore the possibilities for strengthening democracy through co-governance. The conversation will occur as part of the organization’s #RaceAnd series and will be held July 1 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. PT.

For Immediate Release
June 9, 2026

National Black Justice Collective, United by Equity, Black Music Action Coalition, and Other Civil Rights, LGBTQ+ Equality, Reproductive Health, and Immigrant Rights Orgs Host Equity Week 2026

The Series of Events Will Spotlight Reparative Justice, Equity-Driven Legislation, Civic Engagement, Racial Healing, and Black LGBTQ+/SGL Cultural Power.

WASHINGTON—From Thursday, June 11 to Friday, June 12, the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC), alongside United by Equity, Black Music Action Coalition, and a broad coalition of racial justice, civic engagement, and community partners, will host National Equity Week 2026 — a multi-day convening focused on reparative justice, public policy advocacy, racial healing, and Black LGBTQ+/SGL cultural celebration.

At a time when attacks on diversity, equity, inclusion, voting rights, LGBTQ+/SGL communities, and historically honest education continue escalating nationwide, Equity Week 2026 will bring together advocates, scholars, artists, elected leaders, ballroom houses, students, and community members to build power, deepen civic engagement, and advance conversations around repair, equity, democracy, and liberation.

OUT ON THE HILL

Date: Thursday, June 11
Time: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST
Location: Capitol Visitor’s Center South Congressional Meeting Room (CVC 268)

Participants will meet directly with members of Congress and congressional staff to advocate for legislation impacting Black, LGBTQ+/SGL, and marginalized communities. The day will focus on hands-on civic engagement, advocacy training, and coalition-building around issues including reparative justice, voting rights, healthcare equity, education, and civil rights protections. The event will kick off with a reparations press conference hosted by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) at the House Triangle.

RACIAL HEALING CIRCLE

Date: Friday, June 12
Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST
Location: Busboys and Poets, 14th and V

This community-centered listening session and panel discussion, co-hosted with the Sue Aft Memorial and George Mason University, will convene Equity Week leadership and attendees for a conversation focused on racial healing, repair, and the work required to build more just and equitable communities.

THE EQUITY BALL

Date: Friday, June 12
Time: 9:00 PM – 2:00 AM EST
Location: Howard Theatre

The Equity Ball will close Equity Week with a powerful celebration of ballroom culture, Black queer artistry, and civic engagement. Legendary houses will compete in categories centered on community impact and empowerment, with cash prizes awarded throughout the evening in a vibrant showcase of Black LGBTQ+/SGL excellence, creativity, resilience, and joy.

SEE THE FULL LIST OF EVENTS AND REGISTER TO ATTEND HERE

“Equity is not a trend, slogan, or political talking point; it is a moral and democratic imperative imprinted by our Founders as vital to the success of the American experiment,” said Dr. David J. Johns, CEO & Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective. “Equity Week exists to remind this nation that repair requires action — action from lawmakers, institutions, communities, and each of us. In this moment of escalating attacks on Black history, LGBTQ+/SGL people, education, and democracy itself, gathering together in truth, culture, and collective power is both necessary and transformative.”

“I am grateful to return to this event with the wonderful community doing this work,” said Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter, executive director of United by Equity. “As we gather ahead of Juneteenth, we want people to know that the holiday was always intended to be accompanied by reparations. No matter the challenges we face, we will continue the pursuit of healing, repair, and justice for everyone.”

“We are not at an arbitrary crossroads; we are inside of a reckoning,” said Dreisen Heath, Founder of the Why We Can’t Wait Reparations Network. “The attacks on Black history, voting rights, economic mobility, and other civil rights protections are not separate crises — they are predictable consequences of a country that has never settled its debts. Reparative justice can’t wait for the right political and social climate; it is the floor beneath every fight for Black freedom and liberation. Equity Week is where that understanding becomes action.”

If you are interested in learning more about National Equity Week, Dr. Marcus Anthony Hunter, Organizer, UCLA professor, and executive director of United by Equity, is available to discuss what’s in store and the coalition’s continued calls for elected leaders to take up and pass federal racial equity and reparations legislation.