New Mexico Black Leadership Council

02/27/2022

Join the Kumbuka Celebration on YouTube here! https://youtu.be/63GdD40rem8

09/03/2021

On one of America’s greatest orators Frederick Douglass escaped from slavery to freedom on September, 3 1838. Douglas while dressed in a sailor’s uniform to conceal his identity, traveled from Maryland by train, steam ferry, steamboat and foot to New York City and freedom in less than 24 hours.

Born a slave, Douglass after escaping slavery became one of the world’s foremost abolitionist and human rights leaders. Later in life he was named Minister-Resident and Consul-General to Haiti on July 1, 1889. Douglass was the first African American to have a position that high in the United States Government.

https://youtu.be/ALXPUYWFbGI

09/02/2021

A Colorado grand jury has issued charges in the 2019 death of Mr. McClain, a young Black man who was put in a chokehold while walking home from a convenience store.

The five defendants involved in Mr. McClain’s death in Aurora, Colo., just east of Denver, will each face one charge of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide as well as a variety of assault charges.

The three Aurora police officers charged in Mr. McClain’s death are Randy Roedema, Nathan Woodyard and Jason Rosenblatt, who was fired last year. The paramedics are Jeremy Cooper and Peter Cichuniec of the Aurora Fire Department.

The death of Mr. McClain, who was described by friends and family as a gentle person who loved animals and taught himself to play the violin, touched off protests across Denver and a flurry of investigations, lawsuits and demands for policing reforms.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/01/us/elijah-mcclain-officers-charged-colorado.html.

07/11/2021

On this day in history, July 11, 1905, a group of Black scholars, lawyers, and business leaders met to discuss creating an organization to fight racial segregation. The organization was called the Niagara Movement, and was a precursor to the civil rights movement of the 1950s and an NAACP prototype - https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/members-of-the-niagara-movement-meet-for-first-time

07/10/2021

Time sure does fly. Celebrate 10 years with Nexus Brewery this weekend at the Pan American Fwy location! Saturday, July 10, 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. and on Sunday, July 11, 1 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. -

Nexus Brewery marks its first decade with two events

07/09/2021

Way to go! Zaila Avant-garde, 14, an eighth-grader from Harvey, La., is the first African American to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee -

"It made me feel really proud," Zaila Avant-garde said after clinching the victory. The 14-year-old Louisianian crushed the competition with the winning word "murraya."

07/09/2021

Looking for something to do this Friday evening? Head to downtown Albuquerque for Artwalk! Enjoy a vibrant and eclectic showcase of New Mexican artists, musicians, street performers, and food and drink -

ABQ Artwalk in Downtown continues to showcase NM artists, businesses

07/09/2021

Wimbledon week in Black history concludes! On this day in history, July 9, 2000, Venus Williams won Wimbledon for the first time - https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/venus-williams-wins-wimbledon

07/08/2021

R.I.P. Actress Suzzanne Douglas passed away on Tuesday, July 6, at age 64. She was best known for the 90s sitcom "The Parent 'Hood" and most recently played in Ava DuVernay's "When They See Us."

Her four-decade acting career also included roles in the films “Tap” and “Inkwell,” as well as appearances on Broadway.

07/07/2021

Haiti's President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated early Wednesday morning at his home, shocking the nation. Prime Minister Claude Joseph called for an international investigation - https://www.npr.org/2021/07/07/1013670543/haitian-president-jovenel-moise-was-assassinated-at-home-according-to-the-acting

Acting Prime Minister Claude Joseph said a group of people attacked the president's private residence and killed him, calling it an "odious, barbaric" act.

07/06/2021

It's Wimbledon week in Black history! On this day, July 6, 1957, Althea Gibson became the first African American person to win Wimbledon - https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/althea-gibson-is-first-african-american-to-win-wimbledon

07/06/2021

Nikole Hannah-Jones, The New York Times reporter who won a Pulitzer for her 1619 project, and writer and author Ta-Nehisi Coates have been appointed positions at Howard University -

The news is a blow to UNC, which had its reputation damaged by its trustees' initial reluctance to grant tenure to Hannah-Jones. Howard also announced writer Ta-Nehisi Coates will join its faculty.