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Blog Posts Related to the African American Community

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President Obama at Booker T. Washington High: Commencement Challenge Winners

The President gives the commencement address at Booker T. Washington High School in Memphis, chosen as a finalist for the Race to the Top Commencement Challenge on the basis of its inspiring turn-around story, and voted the winner by the public.
May 16, 2011 at 2:57 PM ET by Jesse Lee

National Small Business Week is Here!

Karen Mills, Administrator of the Small Business Administration, discusses the release of The Small Business Agenda: Growing America’s Small Businesses to Win the Future report. The report details the many things the Administration has done over the past two years to help small businesses do what they do best: create jobs.
May 16, 2011 at 6:00 AM ET by Karen Mills

Strengthening Social Security and Medicare

This year's Social Security and Medicare Board of Trustees reports show that Medicare and Social Security are strong, but there is far more work to be done.
May 13, 2011 at 1:11 PM ET by Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Kathleen Sebelius

A Celebration of American Poetry at the White House

The President and First Lady welcome poets, musicians, artists and students from across the country to the White House for a celebration of American poetry and prose. Watch live on WhiteHouse.gov.
May 11, 2011 at 11:00 AM ET by Kori Schulman

The President’s Blueprint for Building a 21st Century Immigration System

President Obama travels to El Paso, Texas to discuss his commitment to fixing our broken immigration system and the importance of building a new one for the 21st century.
May 10, 2011 at 3:15 PM ET by Melody Barnes

The Gift of Good Health on Mother’s Day

This Mother’s Day, new mothers and mothers-to-be can text “BABY” to 511411 to sign up for text4baby, a free, mobile health information service that offers useful tips timed to a woman’s due date or baby’s date of birth.
May 8, 2011 at 3:08 PM ET by Tom Kalil

Inside the 2011 Ambassador Andrew Young Lecture Series

Last week, Michael Blake and I had the opportunity to address an amazing group of young leaders, brought together by the Africa Society of The National Summit on Africa's Ambassador Andrew Young Lecture Series. This year's series focused on the ability of youth to organize and affect change in their communities.
May 3, 2011 at 6:48 PM ET by Karen Richardson

First Lady Michelle Obama Drops by a D.C. School to watch students do a Let’s Move! Flash Workout

May 3, 2011 at 6:27 PM ET by Jaime Mulligan

Osama Bin Laden Dead

President Obama addresses the Nation to announce that the United States has killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda.
May 2, 2011 at 12:16 AM ET by Macon Phillips

Live at 6:55: The President at Miami Dade College Commencement

Watch live beginning at 6:55 p.m. EDT as President Obama delivers the commencement address at Miami Dade College. UPDATE: This event has now concluded.
April 29, 2011 at 4:52 PM ET by Jesse Lee

The President in Alabama: “We’re Going to Make Sure that You’re Not Forgotten”

During a sobering tour of the damage in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the President gives his condolences and pledges that the federal government will stand by all of the towns rebuilding from the devastating storms this week.
April 29, 2011 at 3:29 PM ET by Jesse Lee

An Historic Meeting at the White House with Memphis Sanitation Workers

Eight survivors of the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Strike visited the White House recently, bringing their memories of that struggle and of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Jared Bernstein writes about their visit.
April 29, 2011 at 2:04 PM ET by Jared Bernstein

Africa Society Hosts White House Officials, Michael Blake and Karen Richardson, for the 2011 Ambassador Andrew Young Lecture Series

The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa will host its tenth annual Ambassador Andrew Young Lecture Series today in Washington, DC. Michael Blake and Karen Richardson of the White House Office of Public Engagement will be the featured speakers and will address the power of youth leaders to affect change in their communities.
April 28, 2011 at 10:59 AM ET by

Federal and Local Leaders Participate in Town Hall Highlighting D.C. Promise Neighborhood Initiative

Last fall, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan named Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools (CCPCS) in Washington D.C. as one of 21 grantees to receive a Promise Neighborhood planning grant. On Wednesday, April 27, Secretary Duncan, Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes, and D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray will visit the CCPCS Parkside Campus for a town hall.
April 26, 2011 at 10:08 AM ET by

Attorney General Holder Announces Formation of the Oil and Gas Price Fraud Working Group

April 21, 2011 at 6:24 PM ET by

Expanding Our Reach to Underserved Small Businesses

Marie Johns, Deputy Administrator of the US Small Business Administration (SBA), reflects on a meeting of minority women business leaders at the White House and discusses SBA's commitment to supporting underserved communities.
April 19, 2011 at 6:58 PM ET by Marie Johns

The President: "Our Thoughts and Prayers are With All the Families" in North Carolina

The President offers his condolences and assurances of federal help to North Carolina in the wake of the storms that ravaged the state over the weekend.
April 19, 2011 at 10:07 AM ET by Jesse Lee

Chicago Winning The Future Community Town Hall

Michael Blake, Director of African American and Minority Business Outreach in the White House Office of Public Engagement, will join local community leaders in Chicago to discuss President Obama's agenda and hear from community residents.
April 18, 2011 at 5:25 PM ET by

Honoring a Legacy and Empowering the Future

Department of Education Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships honored the legacy of Dr. Dorothy Irene Height on March 24th. Participants shared ideas on how communities can be involved in their schools and bring positive change.
April 11, 2011 at 10:39 AM ET by Anna Leach

Keeping the Dream Alive: President Obama's Work with the African American Community

Michael Blake, Director of African American Outreach for the White House, reflects on President Obama's speech at the Keepers of the Dream Awards Gala.
April 8, 2011 at 10:30 AM ET by Michael Blake

Open for Questions: A Conversation on The Clean Air Act with Administrator Lisa Jackson

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson answers your questions on the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, a Clean Air Act protection, in a live chat on Thursday, March 17, at 10:55 a.m. EDT.
March 16, 2011 at 4:24 PM ET by Nikki Sutton

Ambassador Susan Rice Speaks to Young Women Leaders in East Harlem

Ambassador Susan Rice, the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, marked the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day on March 8 in East Harlem, New York.
March 9, 2011 at 11:36 AM ET by Taara Rangarajan

African American LGBT Student Leaders Winning the Future

To celebrate the end of Black History Month, the White House welcomed 60 emerging African American LGBT student leaders for a discussion on leadership, public service, and winning the future.
March 4, 2011 at 4:39 PM ET by Monique Dorsainvil

Celebrating Black History Month 2011

Associate Director for African American Outreach Michael Blake wraps up Black History Month 2011.
March 1, 2011 at 8:54 PM ET by Michael Blake

Donna A. James' Story: Pursuing Passion Through Business

Continuing the Celebrating Black History Month series, Donna A. James, Chairwoman of the National Women’s Business Council, discusses her work and passion as an advisor to business leaders.
March 1, 2011 at 4:25 PM ET by Donna A. James

Behind-the-Scenes Video: The Motown Sound At The White House

Join John Legend for a rare glimpse behind-the-scenes at rehearsals and backstage for a performance that celebrates the 50 year legacy of Motown.
March 1, 2011 at 2:32 PM ET by Kori Schulman

Aaron Williams' Story: The Power of Unity and Teamwork

Today, there are more Americans serving as Peace Corps volunteers than any point in the last 40 years. Director of the Peace Corps Aaron Williams continues the Celebrating Black History Month series with his own story of service.
February 28, 2011 at 7:30 PM ET by Aaron S. Williams

Jocelyn Frye’s Story: Inspiring Young People To Be All They Can Be

Continuing the Celebrating Black History Month series, Jocelyn Frye, Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Policy and Special Projects for the First Lady, discusses her work to inspire young people and offers advice.
February 28, 2011 at 1:36 PM ET by Jocelyn Frye

Behind-the-Scenes Video: "Thurgood" Screening at the White House

President Obama hosts a screening of Thurgood at the White House movie theater -- an HBO film about the life and career of the remarkable Civil Rights lawyer and the first African-American Supreme Court Justice. Go behind-the-scenes with the Justice's sons and writer George Stevens, Jr.
February 24, 2011 at 3:34 PM ET by Kori Schulman

Dr. Regina Benjamin's Story: Promoting Health and Wellness for All Americans

Continuing the Celebrating Black History Month series, U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin talks about the role of the Surgeon General in promoting preventive medicine, and the growing need for more diversity in the medical profession.
February 23, 2011 at 9:48 AM ET by Dr. Regina Benjamin