Artist Tanya Nolan Receives
Numerous Awards including
Honorary Doctorate in Humanitarianism and
Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award
March 11, 2024
Honorable Governor Greg Abbott
Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 12428 Austin, Texas 78711
Subject: Heartfelt Gratitude for Recognizing National Freedom Day
Dear Honorable Governor Abbott,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to express my deepest appreciation for your recent action in officially recognizing National Freedom Day, February 1, 2024, on December 6, 2023. As a proud Texan and an advocate for liberty, I am profoundly grateful for your commitment to commemorating this significant day.
The 75th anniversary of National Freedom Day holds immense importance for our nation. It serves as a poignant reminder of the progress we have made in securing freedom and justice for all American Citizens. On this day, we honor President Abraham Lincoln’s approval of the Joint Resolution of Congress, which led to the adoption of the 13th Amendment on December 6, 1865. This historic amendment abolished slavery and marked a pivotal moment in our country’s journey toward equality and human rights.
Your recognition of National Freedom Day not only celebrates our past achievements but also underscores the ongoing fight against modern-day slavery and injustice. As we reflect on our freedoms and liberties, we must remain vigilant in addressing the challenges that persist. Your leadership in acknowledging this day encourages all Texans to join hands in promoting awareness and advocating for a world where every individual can live free from oppression.
I commend your unwavering dedication to our great state and its citizens. Your commitment to upholding the principles of freedom, justice, and peace aligns with the spirit of National Freedom Day. May this commemoration inspire us all to continue working toward a more just and equitable society.
But that’s not all! The State of Texas Resolution further solidifies our commitment to freedom. It serves as a testament to our state’s dedication to upholding the principles of liberty and equality. The Texas State Resolution for National Freedom Day was signed, reaffirming our commitment to liberty, equality, and justice. As Texans, we stand united in honoring our shared history and advocating for a better future.
This resolution holds profound significance as it commemorates the adoption of the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution on December 6, 1865. By abolishing slavery, this historic amendment marked a pivotal moment in our nation’s journey toward freedom and human rights.
I am pleased to inform you that two distinguished representatives played a crucial role in this achievement:
Senator Drew Springer, Jr. (District 30)
His commitment to liberty aligns perfectly with the spirit of National Freedom Day.
Representative Matt Shaheen (District 66)
Representative Shaheen shares Senator Springer’s dedication to Texas values and economic development. He works to eliminate burdensome regulations that hinder business growth
His support for life and liberty underscores the importance of National Freedom Day.
As proud Texans, we must recognize the collective efforts of our state leaders in promoting awareness and honoring our shared history. The Texas State Resolution serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us that freedom is not just a promise but a living reality for all.
Additionally, our local community has taken a stand too. Mayor Jeff Cheney signed the City of Frisco Proclamation, emphasizing the significance of National Freedom Day within our city. Mayor Cheney’s leadership exemplifies our city’s commitment to fostering justice and an inclusive and just environment for all.
Once again, thank you, Governor Abbott, for your steadfast support of this essential observance. I look forward to participating in each succeeding National Freedom Day February 1, celebrations and contributing to the dialogue on freedom and human rights.
With sincere gratitude,
Venita Benitez Advocate for Liberty
NationalFreedomDay.com
Bobby Brown and Alicia Etheredge-Brown (center) with Bobbi Kristina Serenity House board members at 4th Annual Bobbi Kristina Serenity House gala in Los Angeles. |
Founder & CEO Troy Smith |
Nationwide Just being themselves, mocha or bronze, short hair or long, nappy or straight, women of color are on the front line and positioned for success in this decade and decades to come. Shaneisha Dodson is one of the luminaries whose brilliance is glowing.
Originally from Lonoke, Arkansas, but now living in California, this young gifted Black woman is getting ready to launch her new company, Brilliant Girl. She developed this company to deposit in young Black and brown girls the desire to think out of the box and dream big.
Dodson, an innovator with a heart for her community, grew up in small-town America with a loving, supportive family that encouraged her to do her best. With limited exposure, she knew that the world had much more to offer, even for little Black girls.
Brilliant Girl will be an inspirational hub for young Black and brown girls. Her company will celebrate Black girl joy, and will aim to provide more representation in the doll industry by creating ethnic dolls and products that explore STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers.
At Divergent CRO our journey as a Black-owned Contract Research Organization (CRO) is not just about providing top-notch services in the biotech industry; it's about shattering glass ceilings, amplifying underrepresented voices, and fostering an environment where diversity thrives. Founded on the principles of equity and inclusion, we are on a mission to disrupt the status quo and pave the way for a more equitable future in clinical research.
Every member of our team brings a unique perspective and set of experiences to the table. From our seasoned researchers to our dedicated project managers, diversity is not just a buzzword – it's ingrained in our DNA. Our commitment to inclusivity extends beyond our internal operations; it's reflected in every aspect of the work we do.
As a Black-owned business, we understand the importance of representation and the impact it can have on the communities we serve. By championing diversity in clinical trials, we're not just advancing scientific knowledge; we're giving a voice to those who have historically been marginalized and underserved by the healthcare system.
But our commitment to diversity goes beyond lip service; it's backed by tangible action. From actively recruiting participants from diverse backgrounds to collaborating with minority-owned businesses and advocacy groups, we're dedicated to building a more inclusive and equitable ecosystem in the biotech industry.
At The Wade Institute of Technology (WIT), we have a solution. Who are we? A new Palo Alto-based engineering college focused on mitigating the acute underrepresentation of African Americans and students of African descent in STEM professions through scholarships and unique educational programs.
We’re seeking applicants for our Master’s in Engineering Management, a 24-month, tuition-free program for Black students with undergraduate degrees in a STEM discipline OR in the liberal arts. This unique program provides background in core engineering areas as well as leadership principles for those who want broad-based management and leadership positions rather than technologist roles. Program and application details can be found here.
As an institution dedicated to providing an education that combines rigorous academic study with the excitement of experiential discovery, we are also proud to provide a small and close-knit community where Black students can be themselves, know they’re valued, and supported in learning from their mistakes and from each other.
I thank you in advance for helping us democratize and diversify higher education and professional opportunities by sharing this program information within your community.
Regards,
Lorna Jones
Academic Director
Column: Did You Know…About Black People?(™) by Pierre A. Clark, Founder, Creative Services Multimedia LLC Founder/Convenor, Digital Excellence Consortium, Inc. Managing Partner: NuFutures Development Ventures LLC.
As we come to the conclusion of this Black History Month, we continue to rightly celebrate the achievements and contributions of black people in areas of life from sports and entertainment to culture, literature, science and many other areas. But there are areas to which we have and continue to make profound contributions that are not spotlighted as much but should be.
How many of you, for example, know about the profound connection of the creation, development and proliferation of the technology tools we use every day to the creative efforts and entrepreneurialism of black people?
Did you know that several of the largest tech companies in the world are owned by blacks and were/are developed by blacks?
Did you know that many of the technology tools and resources we depend on every day (Internet protocols, the ISA bus, graphics cards) were created and developed and perfected by black people?
Here are some capsule descriptions and references to black technology pioneers and black people of note, past and present.
Emmit McHenry: was the founder and President of Network Solutions, Inc. which was the first and at the time only Internet domain name registrar and created and pioneered many of the protocols used every day on the Internet - domain names or URLs - Universal Resource Locators, IP (Internet Protocol) Addresses, and DNS (Domain Name Servers) among others. McHenry’s company was a government contractor at the time and he continually struggled to keep his company funded. He eventually sold his company to Verisign who was able to turn it into a $21 billion enterprise.
Emmit McHenry Courtesy The Business Journals |
David Steward is the founder and majority owner of World Wide Technology, the 27th largest privately held company in the U. S. and the largest black-owned company in the country, which grosses $17 billion a year. David has a personal net worth of $7.6 billion in 2024, according to Forbes Magazine. World Wide Technology provides comprehensive IT services to thousands of companies nationwide and worldwide.
David Steward |
http://www.atlnightspots.com/a-black-man-named-philip-emeagwali-created-the-internet/
Philip Emeagwali - Courtesy Wikipedia |