Lighting The Road To The Future BlacKkKlansman

Data Zone Go See It! Page 6 “The People’s Paper” August 18 - August 24, 2018 53nd Year Volume 16 www.ladatanews.com

A Data News Weekly Exclusive

Race, Law and Continuing the Fight for Justice and Equality

Page 2 Newsmaker Data Zone Trump Calls Introducing Omarosa Samjah “a Dog” Iman Page 4 Page 7 Page 2 August 18 - August 24, 2018 Cover Story www.ladatanews.com Race, Law and Continuing the Fight for Justice and Equality Exclusive with National Bar Association President, Juan Thomas

National Bar Association (NBA) President Juan Thomas says that NBA members have been part of the transformation of building bridges of inclusiveness for the last 93 years.”

By Edwin Buggage and law students in the country . Since 1925 it has a in response to the fact that back then Black lawyers Dat News Weekly Editor long and storied history with many of its members were not allowed to join the American Bar Association . leading the charge and being on the forefront of the Since that time, the NBA has been on the forefront of struggle advocating for full enfranchisement of Afri- advancing issues of civil rights and social justice which The National Bar Association can-Americans . many our members have fought for such as Thurgood The National Bar Association (NBA) is the larg- “We represent a network of over 65,00 members Marshall and Charles Hamilton Houston, who were est and oldest organization of Black lawyer’s judges across the country and we were founded in 1925 members of the National Bar Association . Our mem-

Cover Story, Continued on page 3.

DATA NEWS WEEKLY P.O. Box 57347, New Orleans, LA 70157-7347 | Phone: (504) 821-7421 | Fax: (504) 821-7622 INSIDE DATA editorial: [email protected] | advertising: [email protected] Terry B. Jones Contributors Art Direction & CEO/Publisher Stacy M. Brown Production Cover Story ...... 2 Health News . . . 9. . MainorMedia.com Edwin Buggage Edwin Buggage Editorial Submissions Editor Nate Davis datanewseditor@ Newsmaker...... 4 State & Local News . 10 Cheryl Mainor bellsouth.net Samjah Iman Managing Editor Advertising Inquiries Julianne Malveaux datanewsad@ Data Zone ...... 6 National News . . 11. Calla Victoria NNPA Newswire bellsouth.net Executive Assistant Distribution www.pixabay.com Commentary . . . 8. . June Hazeur On The Run Accounting www.styleandenergy.com Courier Services Please call 504-309-9913 for subscription information or to obtain a back issue of the paper ONLY. Dated material two weeks in advance. Not responsible for publishing or return of unsolicited manuscripts or photos. www.ladatanews.com Cover Story August 18 - August 24, 2018 Page 3

Cover Story, Continued from page 2. bers have been part of the transfor- in the nation’s capital has become mation of building bridges of inclu- a Clarion Call to resume the fight siveness for the last 93 years,” says for justice, equality and fairness . It current National Bar Association has stoked the fire renewing and re- President Juan Thomas . invigorating the spirit of past lead- ers in the legal profession such as; An Agenda of Black Charles Hamilton Houston, Thur- Empowerment and good Marshall, Charles Ogletree Social Justice and Leon Higginbotham, moving Recently, New Orleans was the the race forward . Today the ques- site of their annual convention tion is who are filling these large where they covered a host of issues shoes in the legal fights many Afri- facing Black America . Thomas says can-Americans face? the discussions focused on, “Eco- Talking about this call to arms nomic empowerment, social justice, and how the National Bar Asso- the future of HBCU Law Schools, ciation is responding Thomas says, and the need to change the pros- “We have many community of law- ecutorial system and how we elect yers that are part of my generation prosecutors . In addition to Crimi- being born in 1970 just after the nal Justice Reform, Law and Tech- 1960’s era of Civil Rights . There’s nology and advancing the need Donald Temple in D .C . that is for more diversity in tech and to The NBA membership is also discussing the need for more progressive community minded prosecutors. But working with young lawyers, mak- too often, Civil Rights advocates on the left don’t want to become prosecutors. Understanding that criminal educate the community about their justice reform begins with prosecutors who have the power and discretion to charge and who and how they ing them social engineers . There’s voting rights in the 2018 mid-term prosecute a case, is an important cog in the wheel of criminal justice reform, but it’s also a critical issue in Ben Crump, who was the attorney elections coming up in November .” today’s climate of racism and racist acts being committed against Black people. for Trayvon Martin and Michael In recent years, the shootings of can help to elect more progres- Brown . He is one of our past NBA Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, sive minded prosecutors . Also, to Presidents . It is important that Tamir Rice, Alton Sterling, Phi- identify and nurture talent and get there are lawyers out here doing lando Castile and countless others, them to run for these offices and this work . And one of my themes planted the seeds for the formation get them elected .” for my colleagues this year is we of Black Lives Matter and demands have to be the conscious of the na- for reforms in the Criminal Justice Racism and the tion because this is a critical time System . NBA President Thomas Law: Fighting the for our country . I believe there is says the National Bar Association Obama Backlash a crisis of conscious, character and is working hard on the problem of When the country elected competence we are seeing in Wash- the killing of unarmed Black men Barack Obama as the first African- ington right now .” by law enforcement, or those American President in 2008, there who take the law in their own were those who spoke of a post- The Struggle Continues: hands and using the controver- racial America . This was a far cry NBA Works with sial Stand your Ground Law as a from the reality back then and most Generation Next defense which was used to acquit definitely it is now as you see a The struggle for justice and George Zimmerman in the Tray- backlash by a segment of the popu- equality for African-Americans has von Martin Case . lation who use race as a fault-line not been a sprint, but a relay race; Speaking further on some of the defining their politics . where the renewing of the commit- work some of the members are do- Something that is closer to the ment to fight for justice has to be ing he says, “We have Paul Butler, historical reality when you look at taken on by the next generation . a law professor at Georgetown and America’s racial history that has The National Bar Association is legal analyst who appears on sev- shown when Blacks or minorities dedicated to mentoring young law- eral network new programs, who gain that the response of some yers and exposing young people to has done a lot of work in this area . Whites have been nativism, racism, consider getting involved in careers We are also discussing the need xenophobia that goes a s far back in the legal profession . for more progressive community as reconstruction, the Civil Rights “We work with our young law- minded prosecutors . But too often, Movement and now in the post- yers’ division and we work with Civil Rights Advocates on the left Obama era . And many of these our young law students . We have don’t want to become prosecutors . manifestations of racial animus find the Crump Law Camp bringing in But this is where Criminal Justice its way to the courts changing pub- high school students from around Reform begins, because they have lic policy and, in some instances, the country for a two-week summer a lot of power and discretion in placing legal restrictions on Afri- program where we introduce them how they prosecute and try cases can-Americans . to the legal profession at Howard and who they charge and who they “Part of our legislative agenda is The Honorable Justice Thurgood Marshall who served as the first Black University . It is named in honor on the United States Supreme Court, was a member of the National Bar don’t charge . working on the restoration of the Association. of our former Executive Director Continuing he says, “We have Voting Rights Act that was gutted John Crump, who retired in 2009 to move to a point where Black in the Shelby Decision, work with rights and what they need to know The Legacy of Charles -2010 and that has been one of our people are not charged for crimes congress to prohibit states from about voting because different Hamilton Houston: signature programs that’s reach- that White people are not charged changing voting laws that in our states have different laws around Identifying Today ing out to young people . We at the for, but unfortunately, around the opinion suppress the vote . We are voter ID and voter requirements . Social Engineers National Bar Association continue country you see a lot of that . We also working on combating voter We want do our job to let voters The challenges America is fac- to be dedicated to our mission to are working with the ACLU, fo- suppression around the country know what their rights are in differ- ing in this age of racial resentment serve our community and the legal cusing on how our community educating voters about their legal ent states around the country .” under the current administration challenges we face as a people .” Page 4 August 18 - August 24, 2018 Newsmaker www.ladatanews.com Trump Comes Unhinged, Calls Omarosa a “Dog” on Twitter

Data Staff Edited Report “dog,” and the word isn’t limited to women or people of color . In 2012, President Donald Trump on he commented on actress Kristen Tuesday referred to former White Stewart cheating on Robert Pat- House staffer Omarosa Manigault tinson “like a dog .” In 2013, rapper Newman, the only African-Ameri- Mac Miller was called an “ungrate- can to have served in a senior role ful dog .” In 2015, Trump said con- in the White House, as a “dog .” servative political commentator “When you give a crazed, cry- Glenn Beck had been “fired like a ing lowlife a break, and give her a dog” by Fox News . job at the White House, I guess it And later in 2015, just a couple just didn’t work out . Good work by months out from announcing his General Kelly for quickly firing that presidential campaign, he called dog!” Trump tweeted Tuesday . media mogul Arianna Huffing- Referring to an African-Ameri- ton a “dog who wrongfully com- can woman as an animal is at best a ments on me .” sharp departure from the language Trump has drawn criticism in typically employed by Presidents particular for the insults he’s lobbed and at worst a reference that traf- President Trump’s attacks on Omarosa Manigault Newman came in rapid succession between Sunday and at women and people of color . Tuesday, as her tell-all book “Unhinged: An Insider Account of the Trump White House” was released this fics in sexual and racial imagery . week, which contains several unflattering claims against the President and his staff. “You’ve called women you don’t Trump has long denied being rac- like fat pigs, dogs, slobs, and dis- ist and has dismissed a claim made to insult non-African-Americans -- As President, however, Trump in Charlottesville, Virginia . He also gusting animals,” then-Fox News by Manigault Newman that he used including Mitt Romney and former has stoked racial tensions in the US, also privately referred some African host Megyn Kelly told Trump at the a racial slur on the set of “The Ap- White House chief strategist Steve blaming “both sides” after violence nations as “s***hole countries” and first GOP candidate debate in 2015 . prentice .” He’s also invoked “dog” Bannon . sparked last year by a neo-Nazi rally lambasted the protests led over- “Only Rosie O’Donnell,” he whelmingly by black NFL players . retorted . The attack stirred an immediate In a separate tweet Tuesday backlash . morning, Trump referred to a “How dare he? How dare he call crash outside the UK’s Houses of anyone a dog,” Rep . Frederica Wil- Parliament as a “terrorist attack” son, a Democratic lawmaker and a committed by “animals,” though black woman, said on CNN . “We al- the incident was still being investi- ready have racism raining down all gated and the identity of the driver over America .” had not been publicly released .

Heather Hurlburt, of the New The President also has been ac- America think tank, criticized the cused of calling some women “fat president . pigs” and “dogs,” though Trump “I know we’re all supposed to has defended his treatment of wom- be post-shock now, but the Presi- en and denied multiple sexual mis- dent of the United States calling conduct claims against him . anybody, and specifically a black Manigault Newman was fired woman, a dog cannot be allowed to from her job as director of commu- pass in silence,” she said . nications for the Office of Public Li- House Speaker Paul Ryan’s of- aison by Trump’s chief of staff John fice declined to comment . Kelly last December . Trump has been accused in Trump’s attacks on Manigault other instances of using racially Newman come as her tell-all book charged insults . He has repeat- “Unhinged: An Insider Account edly referred to Rep . Maxine Wa- of the Trump White House” is re- ters, a black woman, as “low IQ .” leased this week, which contains In announcing his presidential bid several unflattering claims against in 2015, he called Mexican immi- the President and his staff . White grants “rapists” and “criminals .” House press secretary Sarah Sand- It’s far from the first time the ers has said the book is “riddled president has called someone a with lies and false accusations .”

Page 6 August 18 - August 24, 2018 Data Zone www.ladatanews.com BlacKkKlansman Review Spike Lee Delivers a Knockout Punch

Data Staff Reports ing the banality of evil) . As Ron butters up Duke with bigotry, other cops listen From visionary filmmaker Spike Lee in and laugh . Washington, quietly devas- comes the incredible true story of an tating, conveys the character’s gnawing American hero . It’s the early 1970s, and isolation . And Driver is beyond brilliant Ron Stallworth (John David Washing- as a cop going undercover among haters ton) is the first African-American detec- such as Klansman Felix (Jasper Pääk- tive to serve in the Colorado Springs Po- könen), who denies the Holocaust . Flip lice Department . Determined to make a takes a huge risk and disagrees . “Why name for himself, Stallworth bravely sets would you deny it? It was beautiful,” he out on a dangerous mission: infiltrate lies, savoring the word on his tongue and and expose the Ku Klux Klan . The young chilling the blood in the process . His per- detective soon recruits a more seasoned formance as a man caught in a poisonous colleague, Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driv- game of pretend is stunning . er), into the undercover investigation of BlacKkKlansman, adapted by Lee, a lifetime . Together, they team up to take David Rabinowitz, Charlie Wachtel and down the extremist hate group as the Kevin Willmott from Stallworth’s book, organization aims to sanitize its violent demands the best from everyone, in- rhetoric to appeal to the mainstream . cluding cinematographer Chayse Irvin, Produced by the team behind the Acade- editor Barry Alexander Brown and com- my-Award® winning Get Out . poser Terence Blanchard . (Having Get BlacKkKlansman is right up there Out provocateur Jordan Peele on the with Do the Right Thing and Mal- producing team doesn’t hurt, either .) colm X in the Spike’s Joint pantheon Still, the movie breathes Lee as he walks of game-changers . For starters, it gets erate flag — BlacKkKlansman moves on Outta Compton‘s Corey Hawkins), a .k .a . a tightrope over the heroic best and your blood up about the toxic and en- to Alec Baldwin’s white supremacist, ful- Kwame Ture, fires up the crowd . Stall- craven worst of humanity . The eruptive during power of racism . Based on the minating in a newsreel about a “mongrel worth flirts with Patrice (Laura Harrier), violence of the film’s climax, with Ron true story of Ron Stallworth (John nation” generated by “Jewish puppets the BSU president who doesn’t know he and Flip caught in the crosshairs of a David Washington), the first African- on the Supreme Court .” Later, we get is one of the pigs she hates on . His ar- Klan hit on the BSU, is nerve-shattering . American cop on the Colorado Springs scenes from D .W . Griffith’s 1915 silent guments that then-current films such as Some might argue that the movie didn’t police force, the film shows how Ron epic, The Birth of a Nation, which prod- Shaft and Cleopatra Jones show a good need a present-day coda of the show- managed to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan ded audiences to applaud KKK lynchings side of blacks in law enforcement are down between white nationalists and and righteously screw with it from the of blacks . As Lee sees it, the Hollywood dismissed by Patrice as a “blaxploitation protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia; inside . The time is the 1970s, but the propaganda machine has a hell of a lot to fantasy .” the notorious Trump speech claiming filmmaker is not content with dusting answer for . To prove himself, Ron answers a there was “blame on both sides”; or the off the past . His incendiary movie uses Stallworth bristles when police chief Klan recruitment ad, phoning in and still-active hatemonger Duke praising the alt-right cry of “America first!” to Bridges (Robert John Burke) sticks using his “white voice .” For in-person the President’s comments . There are rocket his film into the festering, ran- him in the records department, where meetings, Jewish cop Flip Zimmerman times when Lee wobbles, veering into cid race hatred of the Trump era . this Afro-wearing rookie is the target of (Adam Driver) subs in . Their teamwork caricature and simplification . But none of Lee is too much the hellraising stylist racial insults . His first chance to go un- is the heart of the film — and both actors this distracts from the fact that this hot- to stay inside a documentary box . Start- dercover comes when he’s assigned to knock it out of the park . Washington, damn triumph — one of the year’s best ing with a clip from the 1939 Civil War wear a wire and report on a Black Stu- son of Denzel, is hilarious on the phone films — is the impassioned work of a cin- epic Gone With the Wind — the camera dent Union event in which Black Panther with KKK Imperial Wizard David Duke ema giant who has again found his voice rising to meet and then salute a Confed- ex-leader Stokely Carmichael (Straight (a sensational Topher Grace, personify- and the power to make it heard . Visit www.ladatanews.com for more photos from these events

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Real Talk for Real Times... 1639 Gentilly Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70119 (504)942-0106 www.wbok1230am.com www.ladatanews.com Data Zone August 18 - August 24, 2018 Page 7

5Style Ways To Push Yourself & Energyto Do Absolutely Nothing

Data News Weekly introduces a new column by New Orleans’ fashion and lifestyle blogger Samjah Iman. We welcome her to Data News Weekly and encourage you to follow her on her blog styleandenergy.com.

By Samjah Iman productive because society wants us to Data News Weekly Fashion & believe that we are always supposed to be Lifestyle Contributor on the go . Get that out of your heads and remember this is your life . You run your I know you read the title and was like, race at your own pace . . .and in order to “huh” . . . but let me tell you, this here is se- run the race, you must rest . rious business . Doing absolutely nothing 2 . Get your work done - I’m the type is an art that has been mastered by very of person that likes to have everything few people . It takes willpower to be a bum done before I sit down . . .this way my list for a few hours . I personally know this of “things to do” won’t be on my mind because whenever I get some free time, I while I am trying to rest . Go hard during have to talk myself into doing nothing, and the week so that you can take a day on the then I find myself feeling guilty sometimes weekend and do nothing . Let “doing noth- when I bum out . But not anymore! ing” be your reward for a productive week . We live in a time where messages 3 . Pick a designated “me time” - Every- like “hustle everyday,” “no time off,” “no one in my circle knows when I am about to sleep,” or “sleep when I die” are constantly hibernate . I call my loved ones to let them being planted in our psyche . And my re- know I’m entering “Sam’s world” and I’m sponse to those messages is an elegant about to shut my ringer off . Pick out a time middle finger gesture . Taking the time to that you want to just do nothing and call rest our bodies and brains is imperative . those who usually ring your phone and let When we do so we preserve ourselves, we them know to take their crap elsewhere Samjah Iman feel more energized, and are more produc- for the next hour or so . . .of course this ex- tive when it is time to grind . Currently I’ve cludes emergencies . been using my free time wisely, and I must 4 . Get in the bed earlier - If I’ve had a say I’m getting good at doing diddly-squat . long day with no personal time, I try to at least get in the bed earlier than my usual sleep time so that I can chill out and do nothing . If I can’t make myself sit on the couch for a few hours, surely I can make myself sit in the bed and do nothing before falling asleep . 5 . Just do it - If all of the above fails, then just simply sit your butt down and do nothing! You owe it to yourself! The world will keep spinning if you don’t cut the yard on a particular day, run that lap when you said you would, write that report, or wash those dishes . Time is of the essence, and I wholeheartedly believe that we should do what we have to do to survive, but we should also do what we want to do as well . Bum out my friends, you deserve it . - Samjah Iman

New Orleans blogger Samah Iman, is a flower child, style enthusiast, journalist, and aspiring morning person. She cre- ated her blog to document her life ex- periences in hopes of inspiring someone and to demonstrate how simple outfits can stand out when accompanied with a pleasant aura and the right amount of If you want to join in on this movement, confidence. Being true to yourself and check out 5 Ways to Push Yourself to Do your style is paramount. Samjah wants her readers to know that they don’t Absolutely Nothing below . have to be extravagant to look good; 1 . Get it in your mind that you deserve it’s all about individuality, attitude and spirit. You can follow Samjah Iman at some time to just do nothing - Often times styleandenergy.com or email her, sam- we feel guilty when it comes to being un- [email protected] Page 8 August 18 - August 24, 2018 Commentary www.ladatanews.com

Getting Real about High School Graduation for Black and Brown Students

By Nate Davis students are anywhere from four to centage points…Twenty-four states CEO and Board of Directors six points higher than the national have Hispanic/White graduation Chairman, K12 Inc. average . rate gaps that exceed the national None of us can reasonably ex- average, and in two states – Min- Our nation’s graduation rate is at pect the closure of inequality gaps, nesota and New York—the gap is an all-time high . The national figure if we’re simply satisfied with over- more than 20 percentage points .” shows 84 percent of young peo- all graduation rates while resigned The persistent normalcy of ple, overall, graduating from high to stubborn achievement gaps . lower achievement among certain school within four years after first Yet, it seems as if we’re in a phase disadvantaged student populations entering the 9th grade, a trend that whereby these disparities are being is deeply troubling . Closing those has been on a consistent upswing treated as normal—“the way it is”— gaps should be as important—if not since the 2010-2011 school year . as opposed to addressing a larger more—than simply raising overall Still, despite much progress with parity problem . graduation rates . that indicator, major gaps still ex- We have to ask ourselves: are we At the same time, graduation ist . And there is great concern that having a responsible and respon- rates can be used to unfairly malign the graduation rate hype not only sive conversation about high school schools that are serving underprivi- masks those gaps, but distracts us graduation? leged youth and, in fact, helping from what must be our ultimate The most recent “Building a at-risk students earn a high school goal: ensuring all students earn a Grad Nation” report from Amer- diploma . Alternative schools are high school diploma and are col- ica’s Promise Alliance says that, singled out for having four-year co- lege and career ready . Nate Davis, the CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors at K12 “Twenty-three states have Black- hort graduation rates that are gen- Even as overall graduation rates Inc. (not pictured), says that graduating students is meaningless, if White graduation rate gaps larger erally lower than the national aver- improve, Black and Hispanic stu- they are not prepared for college and careers. (Pixabay.com) than the national average, including age, but left out of the conversation dents continue to lag behind that age points—8 percentage points Native American students fare even five states—Wisconsin, Nevada, is how these schools are intention- curve . Graduation rates for African behind the national average—and worse at just 72 percent gradua- Minnesota, New York, and Ohio— Commentary, Continued American students are 76 .4 percent- Latino students are at 79 .3 percent . tion . Meanwhile, White and Asian where the gap is more than 20 per- on page 10. Justice Served McCulloch Out, Bell in as St. Louis County Prosecutor Critics say that McCulloch ma- and for what offenses . Prosecutors Lives Matter protests that have justice can look like when a pro- nipulated the grand jury process to are the ones who decide whether followed police killings of Black gressive leader is making prosecu- protect Darren Wilson, but now he to charge someone with a crime men and women . The legacy of the tion decisions . has his comeuppance . The 27-year or convene a grand jury . They also deaths of Trayvon Martin and Mi- Perhaps Wesley Bell’s win will en- prosecutor was defeated by Wesley choose how much bail to ask for, of- chael Brown have been a focus on courage the Real Justice PAC to seek Bell, an African American attorney ten pressuring indigent defendants police accountability . After Brown out candidates in other cities—their and member of the Ferguson City into plea deals or holding them in was killed, President Obama made work, so far, has focused on Califor- Council . Bell seems quite the op- jail for long periods of time if they $75 million available for local po- nia, Texas, and the St . Louis race . posite of the racially-biased Mc- cannot post bond . lice departments to purchase body People of color in many urban areas, Julianne Malveaux Culloch, a prosecutor who incar- The Real Justice PAC website cameras, increasing police account- however, face injustice when biased NNPA Columnist cerated poor African Americans for lists nine endorsements for this ability in some instances (although prosecutors act on their biases with minor offenses . McCulloch and the election cycle . Two, Wesley Bell some officers conveniently do not their “prosecutorial discretion .” Po- Just over four years ago, on Ferguson police department were and Contra Costa District Attorney wear their cameras) . lice officers, too, use their prejudices August 9, 2014, 18-year-old Mi- cited by the Department of Justice Diana Becton, won their elections . Having lost the Democratic pri- to decide when to charge and when chael Brown was murdered by for unfair practices and for using Two, Boston attorney Rachel Roll- mary for St . Louis County Prosecu- not to . Unconscious bias is a benign Police Officer Darren Wilson . substantial traffic fines as revenue ins and San Antonio’s Joe Gonzales, tor, Bob McCulloch still has a few word for racism, and it is rife in the He was shot six times, and generators for the city . Had Wesley face elections later this year . The months left to serve in his term . criminal justice system . Electing might have survived some of the Bell been County Prosecutor, it is other five lost their races, but were Hopefully, he will be chastened better prosecutors is a first step shots, but was fatally wounded likely that Darren Wilson would able to make essential points about enough by his loss to curtail his op- toward reversing some of this, so I when he was shot in the head . have been held accountable in the criminal justice reform during their pressive manner of enforcing the applaud the work of the Real Justice Wilson claimed he shot in self- murder of Michael Brown . elections . Their opponents were law . Indeed, activists will need to PAC . But there is so much more defense, but Michael Brown was Wesley Bell was endorsed by the all incumbents who will, perhaps, pay attention to these last days of that must be done before we experi- unarmed . St . Louis County Pros- Real Justice PAC, an exciting new be motivated by their challengers McCulloch’s reign . While he has ence equal justice . ecutor Bob McCulloch took his political action committee whose to make changes in the ways they the potential to continue to dam- Julianne Malveaux is an author, time convening a grand jury and purpose is to “elect prosecutors who administer the law . This bottom-up age the lives of many individuals, economist and founder of Eco- nomic Education. Her latest book announced in November 2014, will fix our broken criminal justice approach to criminal justice reform, his loss is sweet revenge . Wesley “Are We Better Off? Race, Obama three months after Brown’s mur- system .” It’s a great approach given focusing on prosecutors who have Bell, who has no Republican oppo- and Public Policy” is available to order at Amazon.com and der, that the grand jury voted not that “prosecutorial discretion” often a fair approach to “law and order,” nent for November’s race, has the at www.juliannemalveaux.com. to indict Wilson . determines who will be charged, is a logical outgrowth of the Black opportunity to model what criminal Follow Dr. Malveaux on Twitter @ drjlastword. www.ladatanews.com Health News August 18 - August 24, 2018 Page 9

JUUL Labs Offers New Device to Help Smokers Monitor, Change their Habits Company also Launches Education Efforts to Combat Underage Use

By Stacy M. Brown forts in terms of retail auditing to NNPA Newswire Contributor make sure people are not selling their products to underage youth, Kevin Burns, the CEO of the Burns said . e-cigarette technology firm JUUL The company takes underage Labs, said his company is dedicated smoking very seriously and, to that to eliminating traditional cigarette end, they’re also establishing the smoking by offering existing adult use of Bluetooth technology which smokers a real alternative to com- could one day shut devices down bustible cigarettes . around schools and other places, The JUUL device uses an intel- Burns said . ligent heating mechanism that cre- JUUL is also developing a Blue- ates an aerosol and is engineered to tooth-enabled device in internation- minimize combustion, according to al markets that consumers can link the company’s website . to health and wellness apps on their Burns, who formally served as smartphones . president and COO of the Greek yo- “We are looking at the ability to gurt brand Chobani, told the NNPA allow them to reduce their depen- Newswire that JUUL remains fo- dence,” Burns said . “Connection to cused on improving the lives of the app may have features that al- the more than 38 million adults low you to monitor and have active who smoke in America and the one management of your device, which billion-plus who indulge in cigarette can actively manage nicotine levels; use around the globe . getting people off of [combustible] According to the Centers for Dis- cigarettes is a big win .” ease Control and Prevention, Black The JUUL e-cigarette is a slim device that looks like a flash drive. E-cigarettes have the potential to ben- Burns concluded: “With the efit adult smokers who are not pregnant if used as a complete substitute for regular cigarettes and other adults smoke cigarettes at roughly smoked tobacco products, according to the CDC. (JUUL) hardware and software, we’ll be the same rate as White adults (16 .5 able to give people every opportu- percent for non-Hispanic Blacks ferent nicotine strengths will con- visory council for community out- plan to market its products to Af- nity to minimize their relationship vs . 16 .6 percent of non-Hispanic tinue to allow adult smokers the reach and youth education aware- rican Americans and Hispanics, with nicotine . This will be done Whites) . ability to explore what’s best for ness and prevention in Baltimore, Burns said the company is evaluat- through a very sophisticated tech- “This is a product focused on them,” Burns said . Md . It’s the first city in which JUUL ing options . nology where we will have a device the adult smoker and we want to That’s important for African is attempting a hands-on approach, “We’re formulating a plan connected to an app that will allow eliminate smoke around the world Americans, Hispanics, lower-in- aligning with partners like the now . We have a partnership with you to have active management of and give the smoker the nicotine come individuals and many military Black Mental Health Alliance and Black Mental Health Alliance… your use .” experience with the switch to e- veterans, all who tend to use nico- Baltimore Corps ., an organization doing community work and Learn more about the vapor al- cigarettes” said Burns, who holds tine products, he said . that enlists talented individuals in we’re working on the population ternative to traditional cigarettes at a bachelor of science degree from “We think we can bring a solu- public service and social entrepre- that’s underserved and over- JUUL .com . the University of Connecticut and tion that can have an incredible neurship in Baltimore . harmed,” Burns said . This article was originally pub- an MBA from the Wharton School impact on people switching from When asked how does JUUL The company is also making ef- lished at BlackPressUSA .com . of the University of Pennsylvania . combustible tobacco products [to The JUUL is a slim device that e-cigarettes],” Burns said . looks like a flash drive . The com- The company has created edu- pany, which reportedly has an es- cational materials to support under- timated worth of $16 billion, also served communities and they con- manufactures e-liquid “JUUL- tinue to encourage the use of their pods” that contain nicotine salts, products by adults only, Burns said . which Burns said result in nico- “Our intent is not to have people tine delivery that users find as who aren’t using nicotine products satisfying as what they get from to [purchase our products],” Burns traditional cigarettes . The liquid said . “We don’t want non-users and pods contain benzoic acid, a natu- we don’t want underage users .” rally occurring ingredient that, JUUL Labs has spared little ex- when combined with nicotine, pense in its educational efforts . helps in mimicking the peak nico- In the United States, youth are tine delivery of a cigarette . more likely than adults to use e- A single JUULpod contains five cigarettes, according to the CDC, percent nicotine; a three percent which makes those education ef- nicotine pod will be more widely forts even more critical, as the com- available this month, Burns said . pany expands into new markets . “We hope the availability of dif- JUUL Labs established an ad- ladatanews.com Page 10 August 18 - August 24, 2018 Commentary www.ladatanews.com

Commentary, Continued ery year, not just in the fourth are even more troubling . Nearly tries and jobs, and developing business leaders willing to en- from page 8. year of high school . 60 percent of African American competency-based, personalized gage in honest and constructive ally designed to serve credit-defi- Sadly, the drive to meet on- students are forced to enroll learning paths for students un- conversations, and then pledg- cient transfer students and former time graduation has led to recent in non-credit remedial classes constrained by four-year cohorts . ing to act . dropouts at risk of never earning a cases of manipulation and fraud, in college, according to the And we must finally address fund- A rising graduation rate is worth diploma at all . which, of course, is wrong, but it Center for American Progress, ing gaps that exist for too many celebrating, but let’s not become Measuring how well schools also misses the primary purposes compared to 45 percent of La- alternative schools working to complacent . are graduating students is im- of high school altogether: prepar- tino students and 35 percent of eliminate achievement gaps be- Learn more about improving the portant, but it should be done ing students for higher education, White students . This means that tween advantaged and disadvan- educational outcomes for the stu- right, and must not create dis- careers, and the workforce . The Black, first-year college students, taged students . dents in your life at nnpa .org/essa . incentives for schools to serve linkage between these goals— already burdened the most by ris- Addressing this complex chal- Nate Davis is the Chief Execu- credit-deficient students or graduation and college and career ing college costs and loan debt, lenge requires a mix of other so- tive Officer and Chairman of the dropouts looking for a second readiness—is crucial for broader are taking on a greater share of lutions, too; improved learning Board of Directors at K12 Inc ., an chance . After all, what is more national competitiveness . Gradu- the $1 .3 billion wasted on non- models and instruction, greater online education provider for stu- important for these students: ating students is meaningless if credit remedial courses . support for our teachers, innova- dents in pre-K through 12th grade . graduating or graduating “on- they are not prepared . There is no one silver bullet tive technology, and increased Nate Davis, the CEO and Chair- time”? It’s why graduation rate The number of high school that will solve our nation’s gradu- services to disenfranchised stu- man of the Board of Directors at calculations should be reformed students heading into remedial ation problem, but we can start by dents groups are just a few that K12 Inc . (not pictured), says that altogether so schools are held courses in their first year of col- realigning graduation standards we should be working on . But graduating students is meaning- accountable for students’ annual lege are staggering, and the gaps to the expectations of colleges, none of this can happen without less, if they are not prepared for progress toward graduation ev- between varying demographics career training programs, indus- educators, policymakers and college and careers . (Pixabay .com)

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www.ladatanews.com National News August 18 - August 24, 2018 Page 11 DATA CLASSIFIED Call 504-821-7421 to Obama Announces Major place your classified ad.

Midterm Endorsements Job Opportunity Freelance By Stacy M. Brown Writers NNPA Newswire Contributor New Mexico Wanted Debra Haaland (U.S. House, NM-1) Former President Barack Daymon Ely (State House, District 23) Data News Weekly, “The Obama and First Lady Michelle Natalie Figueroa (State House, District 30) People’s Paper, is looking for freelence writers to Obama were recently caught on join our team print and video dancing at a Beyoncé and Jay- New York digital team. We want Z concert in Landover, Md . Antonio Delgado (U.S. House, NY-19) to hear from you if you are a working journalist, Now, the Obama’s are back to Anna Kaplan (State Senate, District 7) business, announcing that they’ve or an aspiring journalist who has 2 years or more endorsed dozens of candidates in North Carolina of newspaper or PR advance of November’s all-impor- writing experience. We Wiley Nickel (State Senate, District 16) tant mid-term elections . need writers who can This large, diverse contingent Ron Wesson (State House, District 1) cover New Orleans news Terence Everitt (State House, District 35) stories, ranging from comprises 81 candidates from local high school sports, across the country in federal, state Julie Von Haefen (State House, District 36) community events, City and down-ballot races . Sydney Batch (State House, District 37) Hall and entertainment. “I’m proud to endorse such a Rachel Hunt (State House, District 103) Experience in print is necessary, experience in wide and impressive array of Dem- digital and social media ocratic candidates—leaders as di- Ohio are encouraged. verse, patriotic, and big-hearted as Richard Cordray (Governor) the America they’re running to rep- Betty Sutton (Lt. Governor) Compensation is resent,” Obama said in a statement . Former President Barack Obama has issued a wave of endorsements Steve Dettelbach (Attorney General) competitive and great “I’m confident that, together, they’ll ahead of the midterm elections. In this photo, President Barack Obama Kathleen Clyde (Secretary of State) story ideas will be strengthen this country we love by delivers the 2011 State of the Union Address while standing in front of President of the Senate Joe Biden and Speaker of the House John Zack Space (Auditor) appreciated. restoring opportunity that’s broadly Boehner. (Pete Souza/Wikimedia Commons) shared, repairing our alliances and Aftab Pureval (U.S. House, OH-1) If you are interested, Jill Schiller (U.S. House, OH-2) please email your resume standing in the world, and uphold- Both Barack Obama and Mi- and 3 writing samples to: ing our fundamental commitment chelle Obama said they expect to Georgia Phil Robinson (State House, District 6) terrybjones@bellsouth. to justice, fairness, responsibility, campaign in several states this fall Stacey Abrams (Governor) Stephanie Howse (State House, District 11) net and datanewseditor@ and the rule of law .” and to issue a second round of en- Sarah Riggs Amico (Lt. Governor) Mary Lightbody (State House, District 19) bellsouth.net. Obama continued: “But first, dorsements in advance of Novem- Matthew Wilson (State House, District 80) Beth Liston (State House, District 21) they need our votes—and I’m eager ber 6 . Shelly Hutchinson (State House, Allison Russo (State House, District 24) to make the case for why Demo- District 107) Erica Crawley (State House, District 26) We can’t wait to cratic candidates deserve our votes Here’s a list of endorsements is- Tavia Galonski (State House, District 35) hear from you! this fall .” sued by the Obamas: Illinois Casey Weinstein (State House, District 37) Obama said he and his wife J.B. Pritzker (Governor) Taylor Sappington (State House, District 94) believe the country’s long-term California Juliana Stratton (Lt. Governor) challenges can be addressed best Gavin Newsom (Governor) Kwame Raoul (Attorney General) Pennsylvania when all Americans take a more Eleni Kounalakis (Lt. Governor) Sean Casten (U.S. House, IL-6) Madeleine Dean (U.S. House, PA-4) active role in democracy . That’s Josh Harder (U.S. House, CA-10) Brendan Kelly (U.S. House, IL-12) Susan Wild (U.S. House, PA-7) why he is dedicating his post- TJ Cox (U.S. House, CA-21) Presidency efforts to identifying Lauren Underwood (U.S. House, IL-14) Tina Davis (State Senate, District 6) Katie Hill (U.S. House, CA-25) and elevating the next generation Liz Hanbidge (State House, District 61) This space can be Katie Porter (U.S. House, CA-45) of leaders, he said . Iowa Carolyn Comitta (State House, District 156) Harley Rouda (U.S. House, CA-48) In issuing this first round of en- Deidre DeJear (Secretary of State) Mike Levin (U.S. House, CA-49) dorsements, Obama said he also Tim Gannon (Secretary of Agriculture) Texas Ammar Campa-Najjar (U.S. House, CA-50) hopes to help current and aspiring Kristin Sunde (State House, District 42) Adrienne Bell (U.S. House, TX-14) yours for only $80 Democratic leaders establish them- Buffy Wicks (State Assembly, District 15) Jennifer Konfrst (State House, District 43) Colin Allred (U.S. House, TX-32) selves, build their profiles, and lead Eric Gjerde (State House, District 67) their communities . Colorado Laura Liegois (State House, District 91) This fall, Obama promises to pri- Jared Polis (Governor) This article was originally pub- oritize supporting redistricting tar- Dianne Primavera (Lt. Governor) lished at BlackPressUSA .com . Maine Call Now! gets recommended by the National Phil Weiser (Attorney General) Louis Luchini (State Senate, District 7) Democratic Redistricting Commit- Jena Griswold (Secretary of State) tee (NDRC), taking back control of Laura Fortman (State Senate, District 13) Tammy Story (State Senate, District 16) the U .S . House of Representatives, Linda Sanborn (State Senate, District 30) Jessie Danielson (State Senate, District 20) and growing the U .S . Senate Demo- Brittany Pettersen (State Senate, District 22) cratic Caucus . Nevada Stacy is a frequent contributor to 504-821-7421 Faith Winter (State Senate, District 24) the NNPA Newswire and Black- The round of endorsements also Jacky Rosen (U.S. Senate) Dylan Roberts (State House, District 26) PressUSA.com. You can also find includes several promising Obama Susie Lee (U.S. House, NV-3) Stacy’s work in The Washington Administration and campaign alum- Dafna Michaelson Jenet (State House, Informer, Baltimore Times, Phila- Steven Horsford (U.S. House, NV-4) delphia Tribune, Pocono Record, ni who heeded the former presi- District 30) and the New York Post. Stacy is dent’s call in his farewell speech to Shannon Bird (State House, District 35) the co-author of “Blind Faith: The New Jersey Miraculous Journey of Lula Hard- “grab a clipboard, get some signa- Rochelle Galindo (State House, District 50) Andy Kim (U.S. House, NJ-3) away, Stevie Wonder’s Mother.” tures, and run for office yourself,” Julie McCluskie (State House, District 61) Follow Stacy on Twitter @stacy- Obama said . Tom Malinowski (U.S. House, NJ-7) brownmedia. “I’M DOING THIS FOR ME, AND FOR THAT PERSON WHO BELIEVES IN ME.” If you’re thinking of fi nishing your high school diploma, you have more support than you realize. Find teachers and free adult education classes near you at FinishYourDiploma.org.