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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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President Obama and the First Lady Mark the Beginning of Kwanzaa

The President and First Lady send their best wishes to everyone celebrating Kwanzaa this holiday season.
December 27, 2011 at 11:15 AM ET by Megan Slack

By the Numbers: $40

Losing the payroll tax cut will cost the typical family earning $50,000 a year about $40 with each paycheck.
December 19, 2011 at 5:55 PM ET by Megan Slack

Ensuring Fair Pay for Homecare Workers

President Obama announces his support for a law to extend overtime pay protections and a guaranteed minimum wage to homecare workers.
December 15, 2011 at 3:15 PM ET by Matt Compton

White Board: Brian Deese on the Payroll Tax Cut

In this new White House White Board, Brian Deese, the Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, explains how the payroll tax cut helps families, businesses, and the economy -- and why it's so important to extend the tax cut for 2012.
December 14, 2011 at 9:01 AM ET by Matt Compton

White House Honors Local Black Women Leaders as Champions for Change

Last week, four amazing African-American women were honored as White House Champions of Change for their work in expanding opportunities for women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.
December 13, 2011 at 12:29 PM ET by Christopher R. Upperman

Labor Discusses Wealth Gap disparities Among African Americans

U.S. Department of Labor Assistant Secretary for Policy, Dr. William Spriggs, discusses the role of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies in the Obama Administration's economic reform.
December 9, 2011 at 1:38 PM ET by Dr. William Spriggs

The Clock is Ticking

If Congress doesn't act before the end of the year, taxes for the middle class will go up. Check out our countdown clock to see how much time is left and tax cut calculator to see what this will mean for you and your family.
December 5, 2011 at 5:22 PM ET by Katelyn Sabochik

Holiday Shopping on Small Business Saturday

As the holiday season approaches, Deputy Adminstrator for the US Small Business Admistration, Marie Johns, reflects on the importance of supporting small businesses in our communities.
November 29, 2011 at 9:55 AM ET by Marie Johns

Alternatives to the “War on Drugs:” Obama Drug Policy and Reforming the Criminal Justice System

Learn how the Obama Administration is taking unprecedented actions to restore balance in addressing our Nation’s drug problem and its disproportionate effects on communities of color.
November 21, 2011 at 4:49 PM ET by Rafael Lemaitre

Meeting with African American Leaders at the White House

The African American Policy Conference brings together leaders in the African American community for a dialogue with senior administration officials on the Administration's policies and its efforts to create jobs.
November 10, 2011 at 6:07 PM ET by Valerie Jarrett

White House to Host African American Policy in Action Leadership Conference

Today, the White House releases a new policy report outlining the Obama Administration's achievements in the African American community.
November 9, 2011 at 8:53 AM ET by Kevin Lewis

Fort Monroe Becomes a National Monument

Today President Obama designated Fort Monroe -- a historic fort in Virginia’s Tidewater region that was integral to the history of slavery, the Civil War, and the U.S. military -- as the 396th unit of the National Park System
November 1, 2011 at 12:07 PM ET by Ken Salazar

Open For Questions: Crisis in the Horn of Africa

USAID Administrator Raj Shah and Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director of the National Security Council Gayle Smith, answer questions about the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa.
October 26, 2011 at 6:57 PM ET by LMiller

How President Obama Is Helping Lower Monthly Student Loan Payments

Answers to questions about the changes President Obama announced today that will cap monthly student loan payments based on borrowers' income.
October 26, 2011 at 11:11 AM ET by Megan Slack

White House “Open for Questions” with Valerie Jarrett and Melody Barnes

Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett and Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes discuss the American Jobs Act and the Creating Pathways to Opportunity report during an "Open for Questions" session with The Root.
October 25, 2011 at 9:50 AM ET by Heather Foster

West Wing Week: 10/21/11 or "Right Now!"

Your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave
October 21, 2011 at 12:00 AM ET by Matt Compton

Open for Questions with The Root

On Thursday, October 20th, the White House will host a special "Open for Questions" conversation about the Pathways to Opportunity Report and the American Jobs Act. Submit questions now and tune in on the 20th at 5:30pm ET.
October 18, 2011 at 7:20 PM ET by Sarah Bernard

The Legacy of the 1961 Freedom Rides

The White House presents a screening of the film "Freedom Riders", documenting the 1961 Freedom Rides, for an audience of law students and participants in the civil rights movement.
October 18, 2011 at 10:12 AM ET by Jim Leach

President Obama at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Dedication: "We Will Overcome"

President Obama, the First Family and Vice President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden honor the life and memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Dedication.
October 16, 2011 at 8:48 PM ET by Nikki Sutton

Blog Action Day: Highlighting the Devastating Crisis in the Horn of Africa

Check out the FWD campaign and find out how you can help spead awareness of how famine, war and drought are threatening millions of lives in the Horn of Africa
October 16, 2011 at 11:20 AM ET by Courtney O'Donnell

The King Memorial: A Symbol of the Best in America

In honor of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Dedication on the National Mall, Representative John Lewis reflects on August 28, 1963, the day of the March on Washingtonon, and the works of Martin Luther King, Jr.
October 16, 2011 at 11:08 AM ET by Rep. John Lewis

African Women Entrepreneurs Visit the White House

The White House Office of Public Engagement and the White House Council on Women and Girls host members of the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP), an initiative launched in coordination with the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program.
October 12, 2011 at 5:00 PM ET by Karen Richardson

Rebuilding America’s Infrastructure

Secretary Vilsack shares his thoughts on the American Jobs Act and its impact on infrastructure across the country.
October 12, 2011 at 3:51 PM ET by Tom Vilsack

Economists: The President’s Plan Will Create Jobs Now, The GOP’s Won’t

Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer draws the obvious conclusion from economists' estimates of the President's American Jobs Act and the proposals from Congressional Republicans: Congress should pass the American Jobs Act right away.
October 7, 2011 at 12:18 PM ET by Dan Pfeiffer

Reaffirming Our Commitment to Fighting – and Preventing – Breast Cancer

Breast cancer remains one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers among American women and despite remarkable advances in treatment and prevention, it remains the second leading cause of cancer death
October 3, 2011 at 6:47 PM ET by Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Kathleen Sebelius

Welcome to the White House, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

The White House welcomed 160 Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) sorority sisters for a briefing with senior White House officials to learn more about the American Jobs Act and the Deficit Reduction Plan.
October 3, 2011 at 10:43 AM ET by Heather Foster

White House Jobs Plan Conference Call with Administrator Lisa Jackson

The White House Office of Public Engagement will host a Jobs Plan Conference Call on Thursday, September 29, 2011.
September 28, 2011 at 6:04 PM ET by

President Obama at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Dinner: "March with me and press on"

The President delivers remarks at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Phoenix Awards in Washington, D.C.
September 25, 2011 at 10:01 PM ET by Erin Lindsay

One Million More Young Adults Have Health Insurance

The Affordable Care Act is expanding health care options for millions of children and young adults across the country.
September 23, 2011 at 12:25 PM ET by

September is Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is working to increase awareness about Sickle Cell Disease throughout the month of September.
September 23, 2011 at 12:08 PM ET by