Local
Gamma Xi Omega Hosts Political Empowerment Forum, Holds A.S.C.E.N.D. Graduation and Closing Program
Gamma Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. AKA Connections committee executed a political empowerment forum to discuss pertinent issues directly impacting the community. This event was held Thursday, August 17, 2017 from 6:30PM to 8:00PM at 689 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29403. The President of the chapter, Mrs. Marguerite Middleton, greeted the…
Read MoreMarvin Pendarvis Wins House 113 Democratic Nomination
By Barney Blakeney Barely an hour after the polls closed September 5 on the Democratic primary elections to field a candidate to fill the unexpired term in S.C. House Dist. 113, North Charleston attorney Marvin Pendarvis was declared the winner. Pendarvis handily beat rivals Angela Hanyak and Charleston County School Board member, Rev. Chris Collins. Pendarvis…
Read MoreJustice Dept.’s Failure to Respond Prompts Sept. 21 Community Action Meeting
By Barney Blakeney The NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Inc. is continuing its efforts to get the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) to release the report on its review of the North Charleston Police Department begun over a year ago. LDF officials say there has been no response from the Dept.…
Read MoreThree Blacks In November Races To Regain Chas. Council Seats
By Barney Blakeney The ballots are set for Charleston City Council elections November 7. Twelve candidates are confirmed running for the six council seats to be elected. They will compete for seats in the even numbered districts – districts two, four, six, eight, 10 and 12. All six incumbents in those districts are seeking re-election.…
Read MoreState Senator Marlon Kimpson Endorses Marvin Pendarvis in House District 113 Race
State Senator Marlon Kimpson (D-42) publicly offered his support for rising political star and current House District 113 Democratic Candidate Marvin Pendarvis. “Marvin has the background, training, and intellectual appreciation of the issues and would be an excellent choice to succeed Seth Whipper, as House District 113 Representative,” Kimpson noted. “He’s been working with me…
Read MoreWhipper Resignation Opens Door For Younger Leadership
By Barney Blakeney A month after refuting rumors he would leave the S.C. Legislature House Dist. 113 Rep. J. Seth Whipper has resigned. Whipper leaves the legislature in August after 23 years to take a position as a Charleston County magistrate. He said last week the new position, one he held eight years prior…
Read MoreACLU Challenges Unconstitutional Debtors’ Prison Practices in South Carolina County
In the latest pushback against modern-day debtors’ prisons, the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of South Carolina, and Terrell Marshall Law Group PLLC filed a class-action lawsuit today challenging the illegal arrest and incarceration of poor people in Lexington County, South Carolina. Victims are arrested on warrants and incarcerated when they cannot afford to…
Read MoreWhipper Says He’s Not Going Anywhere Soon
By Barney Blakeney For weeks murmurs of a political change in North Charleston have been stirring quietly. This week North Charleston House Dist. 113 Rep. Seth Whipper hushed them. The proverbial cat slipped out of the bag several weeks ago when a North Charleston political pundit told this reporter Whipper would be leaving the S.C.…
Read MoreLegislative Session Ends With Citizens Getting Screwed Again, Says Mack
By Barney Blakeney Next week the 2017 session of the South Carolina State Legislature officially closes. Asked how the session benefited the state’s black constituents, veteran lawmaker Rep. David Mack said succinctly, we’re screwed! Legislators opened the session in January and for the past three months spent three days weekly at the State Capitol, presumably…
Read MoreTrump’s Proposed Elimination Of CDBG Funds Could Hit Where We Live
By Barney Blakeney Since 1975 the City of Charleston has received tens of millions of dollars in federal Community Development Block Grant funds. Those millions allow the city to conduct various activities that benefit residents such as home repairs and quality of life initiatives. The Trump administration has proposed cuts to the Department of Housing…
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