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Blog Posts Related to the African American Community

Learn more about the work of President Obama and the African American community.

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Join In the First-Ever MBK "What Works Showcase"

In a science-fair meets demo-day style event, the MBK “What Works Showcase” will feature more than 30 of the nation’s premiere organizations and interventions.
October 17, 2016 at 10:55 AM ET by Michael D. Smith, Dave Wilkinson

What to Watch on Your Extra Day of Black History Month

Check out some of the best moments of Black History Month at the White House.
February 29, 2016 at 11:48 AM ET by Melanie Garunay

Meet the 106-Year-Old Who Got to Dance with the President and the First Lady

Read the story of how 106-year-old Virginia McLaurin got to fulfill her dream of visiting the White House and meeting President Obama.
February 22, 2016 at 2:53 PM ET by Melanie Garunay

The White House Initiative on HBCUs Celebrates the 125th Anniversary of Second Morrill Act

We celebrate the history and legacy of 19 HBCUs that received land-grant status after the passing of the second Morrill Act in 1890.
August 28, 2015 at 6:42 PM ET by Ivory A. Toldson, Ph.D.

Weekly Address: Continuing Work to Improve Community Policing

President Obama talks about the work the Administration is doing to enhance trust between communities and law enforcement.
August 15, 2015 at 6:00 AM ET by David Hudson

West Wing Week: 08/14/15 or, "That's Why We Do What We Do"

We sat down with senior administration officials to take a look back at some of the history-making moments of recent months that illuminated the fabric of America.
August 14, 2015 at 2:02 PM ET by Thomas Kelley

President Obama, Congressman John Lewis, and Others on the 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act

President Obama hosted a discussion here at the White House to mark the Act's 50th anniversary.
August 6, 2015 at 6:29 PM ET by David Hudson

50 Years After the Voting Rights Act, We Still Have Work to Do

While the Voting Rights Act broke down many of the formal and more ridiculous barriers to voting, there are still too many barriers to the vote.
August 6, 2015 at 10:00 AM ET by President Barack Obama

President Obama Travels to Kenya and Ethiopia

President Obama is traveling in Kenya and Ethiopia to meet with leaders from government, business, and civil society, reinforcing the U.S. commitment to economic growth and trade, democracy, and investing in the next generation of African leaders.
July 26, 2015 at 6:04 PM ET by Amanda Stone

President Obama: "Our Criminal Justice System Isn't as Smart as It Should Be"

At the NAACP's 106th national convention, President Obama lays out the reasons why we need to reform America's criminal justice system, and why we need to invest in our communities and expand opportunity for all Americans.
July 15, 2015 at 1:12 PM ET by David Hudson

Weekly Address: Making Our Communities Stronger Through Fair Housing

The President discusses a new rule announced by his Administration to make it easier for communities to implement the Fair Housing Act.
July 11, 2015 at 6:00 AM ET by David Hudson

In Charleston, President Obama Honors the Life of Pastor and State Senator Clementa Pinckney

President Obama travels to Charleston, South Carolina to honor the life of pastor and state senator Clementa Pinckney -- one of the nine who lost their lives in the shooting at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston.
June 26, 2015 at 5:10 PM ET by David Hudson

President Obama to Young Men of Color: "You Matter. You Count."

Discovery Channel and OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network are airing "RISE: The Promise of My Brother’s Keeper" — a documentary that explores the lives of the boys and young men of color from four programs across the U.S. that are living the principles of the My Brother’s Keeper initiative.
June 19, 2015 at 7:33 PM ET by David Hudson

This Day in History: The Good News of the Emancipation Proclamation Finally Reaches Texas

On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger and his regiment arrived in Galveston, Texas to spread the good news that the Civil War had ended and all enslaved African Americans had been freed by President Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
June 19, 2015 at 12:39 PM ET by David Hudson

Expanding Opportunity Works

A group of private-sector leaders and other prominent private citizens have come together to form the My Brother's Keeper Alliance -- a new, independent non-profit that will work to expand opportunity for youth, strengthen the American workforce, and fortify the economic stability of communities across America.
May 4, 2015 at 11:28 AM ET by Broderick Johnson

President Obama on Freddie Gray’s Death: "This is Not New, and We Shouldn’t Pretend that It’s New."

President Obama offers his thoughts on the death of Freddie Gray and the situation in Baltimore.
April 28, 2015 at 4:08 PM ET by Tanya Somanader

50 Years in the Making: The President and First Lady Reflect on Their Trip to Selma

The President and First Lady take a moment to reflect on their experience in Selma.
March 11, 2015 at 10:00 AM ET by Valerie Jarrett

President Obama Marks the 50th Anniversary of the Marches from Selma to Montgomery

President Obama and the First Family joined thousands of Americans in Selma, Alabama to honor the sacrifice and bravery of the men and women who bled there in 1965, in support of voting rights for all African Americans.
March 8, 2015 at 4:44 PM ET by Jesse Moore

Selma to Montgomery: 50 Years Later

President Obama, the First Lady, and their daughters are traveling to Selma to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1965 marches. Visit WhiteHouse.gov/Selma to see additional content related to the marches.
March 6, 2015 at 6:25 PM ET by David Hudson

Honoring the African American Experience: The White House Celebrates Black History Month

To commemorate Black History Month, the White House hosted a number of events and activities to celebrate the contributions and the accomplishments of African Americans both past and present.
March 3, 2015 at 12:05 PM ET by Heather Foster

What 21st Century Policing Means

President Obama meets with the Task Force on 21st Century Policing to discuss their recommendations to help communities and law enforcement agencies across the country to strengthen trust and collaboration, while continuing to reduce crime.
March 2, 2015 at 4:16 PM ET by Ron Davis

Celebrating Black History Month Across the Cabinet

Throughout February, a number of Departments and Cabinet Secretaries held special events and participated in activities to commemorate Black History Month. Take a look at a few of the highlights.
March 2, 2015 at 3:34 PM ET by David Hudson

Today: Join Us for Our First STEM Heroes Edit-a-thon

We're hosting the first-ever "edit-a-thon" here at the White House as part of our celebration of Black History Month.
February 24, 2015 at 2:45 PM ET by Megan Smith, Marvin Carr

Honoring the Women of the Civil Rights Movement, Both Past and Present

The White House and Essence Magazine co-host a special panel discussion in celebration of Black History Month and the women of the Civil Rights Movement.
February 20, 2015 at 8:35 PM ET by David Hudson

The White House to Host My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge National Convening

Almost a full year from the launch of My Brother's Keeper, the White House hosts the My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge National Convening.
February 11, 2015 at 9:19 PM ET by Broderick Johnson

In Ferguson — and All of Our Communities — Education Can Be the Great Equalizer

Like the civil rights leaders who came before them, students and teachers in Ferguson, Missouri see education as an important means of addressing inequities and injustices.
February 10, 2015 at 11:37 AM ET by Arne Duncan

Building Trust Between Law Enforcement and the Communities They Serve and Protect

Attorney General Eric Holder visits the Willie Mays Boys & Girls Club, where he spoke with a small group of local teenagers and a number of courageous police officers and academy recruits from the San Francisco Police Department.
February 9, 2015 at 6:48 PM ET by Eric Holder

The Promise We Make: My Brother’s Keeper Initiative and Expanding Access to Career Pathways for Youth

The My Brother's Keeper Task Force announces a new resource guide that will help employers to access a variety of federal tools that make hiring youth easier.
February 9, 2015 at 3:30 PM ET by Roy L. Austin, Jr., Byron G. Auguste

Honoring Our Past and Future

As we commemorate National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and honor National Black History Month, it is an appropriate time to reflect on the impact of HIV in the African American community.
February 6, 2015 at 5:54 PM ET by Vignetta Charles, Douglas M. Brooks

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: Reducing HIV Among African American Communities

Each February 7, we mark National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD). It’s an opportunity for all of us to honor the memory of those we’ve lost, and to call attention to the fact that HIV continues to disproportionately affect African American men, women, and youth.
February 4, 2015 at 11:33 AM ET by Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell