Black Press Redefines Equity Goals, Introduces MAO to Replace DEI – BlackPressUSA

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — In a new push led by the Black Press, Chavis announced that “Merit, Advancement, and Opportunity” – or M.A.O. – will replace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as the movement’s guiding language.
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By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., the president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), is calling for a major shift in how Black America and its allies frame the ongoing pursuit of equality. In a new push led by the Black Press, Chavis announced that “Merit, Advancement, and Opportunity” – or M.A.O. – will replace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as the movement’s guiding language. “The Black Press is proudly moving forward with new wording and nomenclature that more accurately describes our goals and adjectives with respect to corporate America and governmental agencies,” Chavis said. “Merit, Advancement, and Opportunity are taking the place of DE&I as a matter of self-determination by Black America. We cannot permit people who do not have our interest to define our reality.”
Chavis said the DEI framework, once embraced as a path to equity, has been manipulated and weaponized by far-right forces to “undermine the progress of communities of color in America.” In both public statements and a recent op-ed, Chavis outlined the logic behind replacing DEI with MAO. “Words matter,” he wrote, recalling the backlash to affirmative action and critical race theory—terms that, like DEI, have been twisted into targets by conservative politicians and media. “In America today, it is time to move forward.” Rooted in history and collective family wisdom, the term MAO emerged from an intergenerational discussion within the Chavis family in Oxford, North Carolina—home to the family for over 200 years. Recalling the evolution of the freedom movement, Chavis asserted that Black Americans have always “worked hard to attain excellence and respect,” and that merit has been an integral part of their identity.
“MAO is a transcended and elevated way of describing the current goal of our struggle for freedom, justice, and equality,” Chavis explained. “The Black Press has always had a history and legacy of redefinition and re-articulation of the interest of Black America and of the interest of all those who cry out for freedom and justice.” The components of MAO are straightforward. Merit, Chavis said, is about recognizing and rewarding ability and achievement. Advancement ties progress to measurable contributions, and opportunity ensures that everyone has access to the resources necessary to succeed—without bias tied to race, gender, or identity.
“MAO promotes a fair, objective, and efficient system where individuals succeed based on their merits,” he wrote in the op-ed. “MAO is aspirational without limitations to take advantage of opportunities to advance individual careers and greater societal good for all.” As some corporate executives backpedal on DEI, Chavis said none have proposed viable alternatives that both honor merit and ensure access. MAO, he argued, bridges that gap and offers a new framework for decision-makers in Congress, statehouses, and boardrooms. “We look forward to continuing the national dialogue and refinement of the conceptual framework of Merit, Advancement, and Opportunity,” Chavis said. “It is an urgent time to move our democracy forward and to reclaim the oneness of humanity.”
In Unprecedented Move, Member of Congress Charged with “Forcibly Impeding” ICE Officials in Latest Escalation by Trump Administration
A Little About Me: I’m the co-author of Blind Faith: The Miraculous Journey of Lula Hardaway and her son, Stevie Wonder (Simon & Schuster) and Michael Jackson: The Man Behind The Mask, An Insider’s Account of the King of Pop (Select Books Publishing, Inc.) My work can often be found in the Washington Informer, Baltimore Times, Philadelphia Tribune, Pocono Record, the New York Post, and Black Press USA.
In Unprecedented Move, Member of Congress Charged with “Forcibly Impeding” ICE Officials in Latest Escalation by Trump Administration
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Cuba’s Top Diplomat to U.S.: Blockade Hurts Black Americans and Cubans Alike
IN MEMORIAM: Legendary Funk Pioneer Sly Stone Dies at 82
Force Escalation and 45 LA Arrests
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The moment is another example of the Trump Administration’s building aggressiveness toward Democratic members of Congress and other elected officials. Threats of censure and arrest are increasing.
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By Lauren Burke
New Jersey Congresswoman LaMonica McIver was indicted on the evening of June 10 on federal charges. Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba announced the rare indictment of a member of Congress involving DHS officials on the Elon Musk-owned platform X. The charges against Rep. McIver are related to a confrontation between ICE officials and elected officials at Delaney Hall Immigration Detention Center in Newark, New Jersey on May 9. The confrontation led to the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka for “trespassing.” Though the charges were later dropped many said that it was another example of intentional intimidation by the Trump Administration. Habba wrote that individuals can express themselves but must, “must not do so in a manner that endangers law enforcement and the communities those officers serve.” The moment is another example of the Trump Administration’s building aggressiveness toward Democratic members of Congress and other elected officials. Threats of censure and arrest are increasing. Yesterday, President Trump threatened to arrest another Democrat, California Governor Gavin Newsom. “I would do it if I were Tom [Homan],” answered President Trump on June 9 after being asked if he would arrest Gov. Newsom.
Though Habba is alleging that Rep. McIver “assaulted and interfered with immigration officers outside a New Jersey detention center” the video demonstrates a different set of facts on the scene as ICE agents prevented members of Congress, who are constitutionally permitted to entering suck facilities, from proceeding into the facility. “The facts of this case will prove I was simply doing my job and will expose these proceedings for what they are: a brazen attempt at political intimidation,” McIver said in a June 10 statement. On May 19, Habba’s office announced they were dropping previously filed charges against Mayor Ras Baraka for “trespassing.” “Rep. McIver was doing her job and conducting oversight as a duly elected member of Congress. Trump is using baseless legal tactics to smear & silence this honorable Black Congresswoman—but it won’t work. This won’t intimidate us, and we stand with Rep. McIver,” wrote Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) after news of the indictment of her CBC colleague.
“This is a travesty. DOJ is filing charges that never would have been brought by prior Departments of either party. From Rep. McIver here to Judge Dugan in WI to David Huerta in LA — injustice. The congresswoman is vigorously contesting this, and I think she will be successful,” wrote attorney Norm Eisen on June 10, who is also a co-founder of The Contrarian. The federal charges against Rep. McIver are an unprecedented arrest of a member of Congress. There is no known previous public case that has involved a DHS-led arrest of a current member of Congress. Rep. McIver, 38, represents Newark and entered Congress in September 2024 after winning the seat of the late Congressman Donald Payne, Jr.
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The Pentagon confirmed that the deployment brought the number of Guard members under federal orders to more than 4,100. Approximately 700 Marines were also sent to the city earlier in the day. California quickly moved to challenge the deployment. State Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a lawsuit against Trump, saying the president had “trampled” California’s sovereignty. Meanwhile, Trump endorsed threats made by border official Tom Homan, who warned that state officials obstructing federal enforcement could face arrest.
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By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
The BET Awards celebrated 25 years of Black culture, music, and activism on Monday night with a show that blended celebrity moments, sharp humor and pointed political commentary. From the stage of the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, artists used their platforms to speak directly to the moment. Doechii, accepting her first BET Award for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, seized the spotlight early with a powerful speech addressing the immigration raids and protest crackdowns taking place just blocks away. “There are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities in the name of law and order,” she said. “Trump is using military forces to stop a protest. I want you all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us. What type of government is that?”
Her remarks came on the heels of President Donald Trump’s order to send an additional 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles in response to ongoing immigration protests. The Pentagon confirmed that the deployment brought the number of Guard members under federal orders to more than 4,100. Approximately 700 Marines were also sent to the city earlier in the day. California quickly moved to challenge the deployment. State Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a lawsuit against Trump, saying the president had “trampled” California’s sovereignty. Meanwhile, Trump endorsed threats made by border official Tom Homan, who warned that state officials obstructing federal enforcement could face arrest. “I would do it if I were Tom. I think it’s great,” Trump said. California Governor Gavin Newsom responded, “Come after me, arrest me. Let’s just get it over with, tough guy.”
Back inside the theater, Doechii continued: “People are being swept up and torn from their families. I feel like it’s my responsibility as an artist to use this moment to speak up for all oppressed people. … We all deserve to live in hope and not fear. I hope we stand together.” Her words earned a standing ovation, setting the tone for a night filled with heartfelt tributes and unflinching truths. The evening also honored Jamie Foxx, Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, and Kirk Franklin with the Ultimate Icon Award, recognizing their achievements in entertainment and their ongoing impact on their communities.
Foxx, the first to accept the honor, became emotional during his speech. Reflecting on a near-fatal health scare in 2023, he told the crowd, “When I saw the memoriam, I was like, ‘Man, that could’ve been me.’” In a previous interview with the Associated Press, he shared that “the thing was almost a wrap. Every prayer counted.” Presented the award by Stevie Wonder, Foxx’s voice broke with gratitude as he addressed the audience. “I don’t know why I went through what I went through. But I know my second chance — I won’t turn it down,” he said. His daughters and sister looked on from the crowd, visibly moved. Mariah Carey, receiving her first BET Award, thanked Busta Rhymes for his introduction and reflected on personal growth. “It took me a while, but I finally realized that life is far too short to live for anyone else’s approval, which is something I always did,” she said. “I decided to own who I am.”
Snoop Dogg took the stage next, introduced by Dr. Dre. Accompanied by his wife Shante Taylor, the rapper paid respect to his fellow honorees before thanking those who supported him through his journey. “Hip-hop gave me a voice. It gave me a purpose. It gave me a way out and a way into homes, hearts, cultures, and countries I’d never thought I would even touch,” he said. “Being an icon isn’t about fame. It’s about legacy. It’s about what you build, what you leave behind, and who you lift up along the way.” Kirk Franklin, accepting the same honor, acknowledged his imperfections with humility and humor. “I can’t even sing,” he joked. “Which makes this award so amazing, because what I do really don’t make sense. If you’re listening to this, that’s when you know it’s God.”
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — In one of the most outlandish displays of ego and perhaps the most expensive show of arrogance in American history, Donald Trump’s estimated $143 million birthday, and military parade will roll through downtown Washington, D.C
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By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
In one of the most outlandish displays of ego and perhaps the most expensive show of arrogance in American history, Donald Trump’s estimated $143 million birthday, and military parade will roll through downtown Washington, D.C., on Saturday, June 14. The celebration, billed as a tribute to America’s military and a national celebration of Trump, has sparked outrage across the country—and an unprecedented response. The race-baiting, 34-times convicted felon told reporters in the Oval Office that they’ll be “celebrating big on Saturday.” He added that if any protesters show up, “they will be met with very big force. I haven’t even heard about a protest, but you know, this is people that hate our country, but they will be met with very heavy force.”
The menacing tone and threats come as tens of thousands are preparing to take part in over 2,000 “No Kings Day” protests planned in cities across the nation. Organized by Indivisible and a coalition of progressive groups, the demonstrations are meant to rebuke Trump’s authoritarian behavior and remind the public that, as the event’s tagline puts it, “In America, we don’t do kings.” “They’ve defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services,” reads the protest website. “The corruption has gone too. Far.” While the president dismissed demonstrators protesting his immigration raids in Los Angeles as “paid insurrectionists,” critics note the bitter irony—given that Trump pardoned hundreds of actual insurrectionists who stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, seeking to hang the vice president, kill members of Congress, and overturn a lawful election. That violent attack led to multiple deaths, including of law enforcement officers.
Ezra Levin, co-founder and co-executive director of Indivisible, told MSNBC that the “No Kings Day” actions—announced before the parade was confirmed—have received “overwhelming interest,” especially after Trump’s violent crackdown on protestors in Los Angeles. Organizers made a strategic decision not to hold a mass protest in D.C. itself, saying they didn’t want Trump’s militarized spectacle to become the day’s center of gravity. Instead, protests around the country will feature civil rights-era songs, grassroots speeches, and symbolic displays of unity.
Among the most striking acts of defiance planned: thousands of African Americans and allies say they will prominently display photos of former President Barack Obama during the protests, a deliberate counter to the man who spent years trying to delegitimize Obama’s presidency and erase his legacy. As author and activist Anne Lamott noted, “We the people make the best placards — my favorites from the ‘Hands Off’ march were ‘Honk if you never drunk-texted war plans’ and ‘Now you’ve pissed off the grandmothers.’” Organizers say the protests are more than symbolic—they are a declaration that the public will not sit quietly in the face of tyranny, repression, and staged propaganda parades funded by taxpayer dollars.
“In America, we don’t do kings,” Levin said. “We do democracy.”
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — “Today, the U.S. actively blocks vessels from delivering oil to Cuba. It pressures other countries to deny Cuba tourism access,” she asserted. “And then it blames us for the resulting blackouts and scarcities. This is not diplomacy. This is punishment.”
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By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
Cuba’s Deputy Director of U.S. Affairs Johana Tablada offered a sobering but impassioned critique of current U.S. policy toward Cuba during an exclusive interview in Washington, D.C., where she called on Americans—especially African Americans—to pay closer attention to the consequences of decades-long sanctions and misinformation. In an interview at Black Press USA’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., Tablada described the current relationship between the U.S. and Cuba as being “at a low point,” marked by “maximum aggression” from the U.S. government. “It is difficult to describe this as anything but open hostility,” she told National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) President & CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. “This year alone, since January 20, the U.S. has imposed more than a dozen unilateral coercive measures against Cuba.”
The NNPA is the trade association representing the more than 200 African American newspapers and media companies that comprise the Black Press of America. “On behalf of the Black Press of America, we are very pleased to welcome Secretary General Tablada to the offices of the Black Press of America. It’s important to emphasize the long-lasting and long-standing solidarity between Cuba and Black America,” Chavis declared. “The historic meeting between President Fidel Castro and Malcolm X in the 1960s in Harlem, New York, epitomized not only the friendship but the comradeship between freedom fighters in America with freedom fighters in Cuba.” U.S. sanctions, Tablada noted, go far beyond restricting trade—they now include denying visas to Cuban athletes and scientists, interfering with cultural exchanges, and cutting remittances through Western Union. “The Cuban Olympic Committee’s president wasn’t granted a visa to attend events in the U.S.,” she said. “And this during a cycle leading up to the Olympics in Los Angeles.”
Tablada specifically pointed to the Trump administration’s reinstatement of Cuba on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism as fraudulent and damaging. “It’s a designation based on lies,” she said. “And when a country is placed on that list, it becomes nearly impossible to receive oil, medical supplies, or even financial transfers due to global banking fears.” She drew a sharp contrast between the current state of U.S.-Cuba policy and the optimism that accompanied President Barack Obama’s historic visit to Havana in 2016. “We had a breakthrough,” she declared. “We were talking and engaging respectfully—even when we disagreed. That’s no longer happening.” Throughout the 40-minute interview, Tablada spoke fondly of the long-standing solidarity between Cuba and the African American community. She invoked the legacy of Malcolm X, the symbolism of his 1960 meeting with Fidel Castro in Harlem, and Cuba’s military support for liberation movements in Angola and South Africa. “Cuba is the only country in Latin America that went back to Africa and fought and died to end apartheid,” she said. “That bond with the African diaspora is deep and permanent.”
She noted that Cuban identity and culture are inextricably linked to Africa. “Our music, our food, our sense of honor—it all comes from Mother Africa. And we have a responsibility to protect that legacy,” she remarked.
Tablada called the decades-long U.S. embargo—enforced through a patchwork of laws, including the 1917 Trading with the Enemy Act, the Helms-Burton Act, and the Torricelli Act—an unprecedented and inhumane measure. “There is no other country in the world that faces this level of comprehensive economic warfare,” she said. “It’s not just unfair; it’s provoked suffering and hardship.” She added that Cuba has never retaliated with sanctions or actions against the United States, highlighting the one-sided nature of the policy. The diplomat also pushed back on U.S. accusations of forced labor in Cuba’s international medical missions. “We operate in 56 countries with agreements supported by the United Nations,” she said. “Yes, those missions generate income to fund our free healthcare system—but calling that human trafficking is a grotesque lie. The U.S. is spending millions to manufacture pretexts for aggression.” Tablada warned that U.S. policies are even affecting tourism and access to energy. “Today, the U.S. actively blocks vessels from delivering oil to Cuba. It pressures other countries to deny Cuba tourism access,” she asserted. “And then it blames us for the resulting blackouts and scarcities. This is not diplomacy. This is punishment.”
Despite the challenges, Tablada expressed hope for the people of the United States. “I believe that if Americans—especially African Americans—knew the full truth, they would reject these policies,” she said. “Because they have always stood on the side of justice, from civil rights to solidarity with global liberation movements.” She extended an invitation for the Black Press of America to work with Cuban journalists to strengthen the exchange of truth. “Let’s put Cuba back on the radar,” she said. “The people of both countries want peace, not conflict.” Chavis added that the Black Press plans to travel to Cuba soon. “We are planning to take a delegation of the Black Press to visit Havanna to work out a strategic alliance between the Cuban press and the Black Press of America,” Chavis insisted. “Our interests are vital, our interests are common, not only for the present but for the future.” Asked what gives her hope, Tablada answered without hesitation: “Our youth. And the truth. When people talk to each other honestly, good things happen.” Tablada said she would welcome a conversation with President Trump himself. “Let’s talk. Cuba is not an enemy of the United States,” she said. “Let’s stop the lies and sit down. Every time we’ve done that, progress followed.”
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Sylvester “Sly” Stewart—known to the world as Sly Stone, frontman of the groundbreaking band Sly and the Family Stone—has died at the age of 82.
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By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
Sylvester “Sly” Stewart—known to the world as Sly Stone, frontman of the groundbreaking band Sly and the Family Stone—has died at the age of 82. His family confirmed that he passed away peacefully at his Los Angeles home, surrounded by loved ones, after battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other health complications. Born March 15, 1943, in Denton, Texas, Stone moved with his family to Vallejo, California, as a child. He began recording gospel music at age eight with his siblings in a group called the Stewart Four. By his teenage years, he had mastered multiple instruments and was already pioneering racial integration in music—an ethos that would define his career.
In 1966, Sly and his brother Freddie merged their bands to form Sly and the Family Stone, complete with a revolutionary interracial, mixed-gender lineup. The band quickly became a commercial and cultural force with hits such as “Dance to the Music,” “Everyday People,” and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”—all penned by Stone himself. Their album Stand! (1969) and live performances—most notably at Woodstock—cemented their reputation, blending soul, funk, rock, gospel, and psychedelia to reflect the optimism and turmoil of their era. Sly Stone’s musical approach radically reshaped popular music. He transcended genre boundaries and empowered a new generation of artists. The band’s socially conscious message and infectious rhythms sparked a wave of influence, reaching artists as diverse as Miles Davis, George Clinton, Prince, Dr. Dre, and the Roots.
As the 1970s progressed, Stone confronted personal demons. His desire to use music as a response to war, racism, and societal change culminated in the intense album “There’s a Riot Goin’ On” (1971). But drug dependency began to undermine both his health and professional life, leading to erratic behavior and band decline through the early 1980s. Withdrawn from the public eye for much of the 1990s and early 2000s, Stone staged occasional comebacks. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys in 2017, and captured public attention following the 2023 release of his memoir Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)—published under Questlove’s imprint. He also completed a biographical screenplay and was featured in Questlove’s documentary Sly Lives! earlier this year.
His influence endured across generations. Critics and historians repeatedly credit him with perfecting funk and creating a “progressive soul,” shaping a path for racial integration both onstage and in the broader culture. “Rest in beats Sly Stone,” legendary Public Enemy frontman Chuck D posted on social media with an illustrative drawing of the artist. “We should thank Questlove of the Roots for keeping his fire blazing in this century.” Emmy-winning entertainment publicist Danny Deraney also paid homage. “Rest easy Sly Stone,” Deraney posted. “You changed music (and me) forever. The time he won over Ed Sullivan’s audience in 1968. Simply magical. Freelance music publicist and Sirius XM host Eric Alper also offered a tribute. “The funk pioneer who made the world dance, think, and get higher,” Alper wrote of Sly Stone. “His music changed everything—and it still does.”
Sly Stone is survived by three children.
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The head of the organization, which focuses on the advancement of Hispanics, discussed the discriminatory nature of these arrests, lending “the only criteria they need to have is brown skin.”
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By April Ryan
“Can you imagine all of this for 45 arrests?” Juan Proano of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) asked. Proano is in Los Angeles after President Trump deployed the National Guard in response to Ice raids in what he calls “An attack on a sanctuary city.” As the sun rose this morning in Los Angeles, it was quiet after what resembled a police state over the weekend. On this morning’s Coffee With segment on the Contrarian, Proano said since Thursday, “45” migrants have been arrested. The head of the organization, which focuses on the advancement of Hispanics, discussed the discriminatory nature of these arrests, lending “the only criteria they need to have is brown skin.”
Proano says the ICE raids “were not planned very well” as the ICE centers are already “overcrowded and moving to accelerated deportations” and stepping around due process for the new ICE arrests. Proano, the head of LULAC, said they [the Trump administration] originally hoped to achieve 3,000 deportations daily. Los Angeles has a large migrant population, with the most significant numbers in the Asian and Hispanic communities. California Governor Gavin Newsom blames President Trump for the tensions in the Los Angeles area related to the latest ICE raids. This morning, President Trump retorted on the South Lawn of the White House, stating Newsom should be arrested as “he is grossly incompetent.”
President Trump deployed the National Guard to handle the LA protests stemming from the ICE raids in Los Angeles. LULAC, the NAACP, and other rights organizations have blamed President Trump for escalating the tensions there. Meanwhile, President Trump is prepared to escalate this even more. Marines at Camp Pendleton are on high alert for possible deployment to Los Angeles. Currently, 2000 National Guard are deployed to the City of Angles, with only 300 on the ground. California is suing the Trump administration for the unlawful deployment of the National Guard in their state.

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