Project 21: Press Releases

Supreme Court Demands Proof of Clear Racial Discrimination

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Black Conservatives Praise Justices for Rejecting “Race Card” Allegations to Root Out Real Bias Washington, D.C. - Allegations of racial discrimination in contracting must prove that bias is the sole reason for a minority company losing a deal, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Monday. This decision frees up plaintiffs and courts to focus on true instances of discrimination, according to members of the Project 21 black leadership network. “With this decision, the justices unanimously ruled that Americans must show that ‘race was the determining factor behind their claim’ of discrimination and not just merely one of several factors,” said Project ...
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NEPA Reform Can Create Equality and Opportunity for Black America, Say Black Leaders

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Washington, D.C. - Calling it “regulatory reform that enhances black empowerment,” the co-chairmen of the Project 21 black leadership network submitted public comments supporting the Trump Administration’s proposed rule to reform the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In their comment, the Project 21 co-chairmen – Horace Cooper, Council Nedd II and Stacy Washington – wrote: “Commonsense NEPA reform, with a mindful balance of environmental protection and economic growth, is key to a more productive America that helps all of its citizens.” NEPA is a 50-year-old federal regulation subjecting major construction projects and land management decisions to layers of permitting and ...
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Protect Women Instead of Abortionists, Say Black Activists

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Project 21 Backs Louisiana Law Under Supreme Court Scrutiny Washington, D.C. - The Project 21 black leadership network is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold a Louisiana law requiring abortionists to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital, noting that black women are at risk of unnecessary and disproportionate harm during abortion procedures. Project 21 signed onto a amici curiae (“friends of the court”) legal brief in the case of June Medical Services v. Gee, which will be argued on March 4. The brief, representing black conservative and pro-life organizations, asked the justices to uphold the lower court ruling ...
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State of the Union Indicates “Exponentially Brighter” Future for Black Americans

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Project 21 Condemns “Hatred and Shallowness” on Display by Presidential Critics Washington, D.C. - Responding to the upbeat message in President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, members of the Project 21 black leadership network commend the progress that black Americans have made in recent years due to lower taxes, less regulation and policies that “put America first.” “Tonight, the President strode into the last State of the Union Address of his first term with polls showing race relations at an all-time high, unemployment across all metrics at all-time lows, and a booming economy. He recently signed a new trade agreement ...
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Black Activists Push for School Choice at Supreme Court

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Project 21 Decries Blaine Amendments as Bigoted for Denying Families Best Educational Options Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments today about whether parents should be empowered with the ability to use government-assisted scholarships to enroll their children in religious schools. Members of the Project 21 black leadership network have joined a legal brief advising the justices that current laws blocking parents from doing so prevent them from making the best choices for their children’s education. The case of Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue focuses on “Blaine Amendments” that are found in 37 state constitutions nationwide ...
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MLK’s Mission Praised by Black Conservatives

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Left-Wing Activists Criticized for Misinterpreting Teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Washington, D.C. - In observance of the upcoming holiday devoted to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., members of the Project 21 black leadership network are available for interviews regarding Dr. King, how his teachings have shaped the nation and how people have acted – positively and negatively - in his name. “Dr. King’s embodiment of bravery, courage and unity remains a call to action in our neighborhoods and communities. We must continue to reference his life as a catalyst for racial harmony and ...
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Covington Student’s Legal Victory Against CNN Hailed by Black Activists

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Project 21 Applauds Nick Sandmann's Decision to "Stand Up to Leftist Bullies and Fight Back" Washington, D.C. – The legal victory of Covington Catholic High School student Nicholas Sandmann over CNN for false reporting is being hailed by members of the Project 21 black leadership network. Sandmann sued CNN and other media organizations for defamation, claiming they had perpetuated false allegations about his encounter with a Native American activist at the Lincoln Memorial last January. Project 21 members were early supporters of Sandmann and his fellow students as they sought to clear their names. "CNN's settlement of a defamation suit filed ...
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Black Activists Rebuke Comparision of Impeachment to Civil Rights Movement

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Partisan “Clarification” Called Disrespectful and Hypocritical Washington, D.C. - Pushing back on lawmakers who compare impeachment proceedings to the Civil Rights Movement and the fight against Jim Crow discrimination, members of the Project 21 black leadership network are calling liberals’ rhetorical tactics - particularly ones by U.S. Representative Hakeem Jeffries - both incorrect and hypocritical. “This has to be - without question - one of the most incorrect comparisons I have ever heard,” said Project 21 member Martin Baker. “How dare Representative Jeffries weaponize the collective struggles of suffragettes and the Civil Rights Movement by comparing them to an impeachment ...
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Record-Low Black Unemployment Applauded by Black Activists

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Project 21 Cites Low Taxes, Deregulation Among Reasons Blacks Are Back to Work Black unemployment has hit yet another record low, and that is being cheered by members of the Project 21 black leadership network, who cite lower taxes and fewer regulations as major factors in America’s economic recovery. “President Kennedy once said a rising tide lifts all boats, and this latest economic news shows the Trump Administration’s policies are helping all demographics – including black Americans,” said Project 21 member Christopher Arps. “Reducing taxes and regulations has always proven to be a boon for the economy.” The U.S. Bureau ...
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Cuomo’s “Fredo” Freak-Out Criticized by Black Activists

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Project 21 Members Say Reference to "Godfather" Character Not Comparable to N-Word Washington, D.C. – As CNN personality Chris Cuomo tries to equate being called “Fredo” – the “weak brother” in “The Godfather” – with a black person being called the n-word, Project 21 members are criticizing him and CNN for trying to paint critics as bigots. “This is America in 2019. CNN has a white man of wealth and privilege who hails from a prominent political family. He claims he’s the victim of a very questionable slur,” said Project 21 member Christopher Arps. “This is liberal logic.” Cuomo confronted ...
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Citizenship Scrutiny for Immigrants on Welfare Gets Black Approval

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Project 21: Path to Citizenship for People on Assistance is "Unfair" and "Insulting" to Working Poor Washington, D.C. – A new federal rule adding more scrutiny to the citizenship process for immigrants who have collected public assistance is applauded by the Project 21 black leadership network. “Acting Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Ken Cuccinelli’s new rule limiting immigration options for persons who come to America to access our generous social service safety net is long overdue,” said Project 21 Co-Chairman Stacy Washington. “Most American families carefully budget the money left over after paying taxes to support themselves. To have people ...
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On Anniversary of Michael Brown’s Death, Ferguson’s Leaders Given “Blueprint for a Better Deal for Black America”

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Black Conservatives Present Recommendations to Mayor, City Council for Improving Black Opportunity Ferguson, MO/Washington, D.C. – On the eve of the fifth anniversary Michael Brown’s death, Project 21 will hold a press conference where they will present Ferguson Mayor James Knowles III with its “Blueprint for a Better Deal for Black Americans.” On Thursday, August 8, at the Ferguson City Hall, members of the black leadership network will discuss Blueprint recommendations with the mayor that are designed to provide the community with innovative means for helping black Americans reach their full potential and obtain better access to the American dream ...
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After Trump Tweets, Baltimore’s Elected Leaders Given “Blueprint for a Better Deal for Black America”

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Black Conservatives Send Recommendations to Mayor, City Council for Improving Black Opportunity Washington, D.C. – To help create a better Baltimore, the Project 21 black leadership network sent Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young and the entire Baltimore City Council copies of its “Blueprint for a Better Deal for Black America.” Project 21’s Blueprint contains 57 policy recommendations over 10 key areas that are designed to remove barriers that keep black communities from reaching their full potential and to ensure that access to the American Dream is attainable for everyone. Many of the ideas proposed in the Blueprint can be implemented ...
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Nike’s American Flag Shoe Recall Kicks Up Black Conservatives’ Anger

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Colin Kaepernick's Demand Sends Nike Down "Dangerous Path" With Consumers, Investors Washington, D.C. - After Nike pulled an American flag-themed shoe off the market after a complaint by former football player Colin Kaepernick, members of the Project 21 black leadership network are blasting the company for caving to left-wing wokeness at the expense of investors, sneakerheads and patriotic Americans. “Nike really ought to do a profit-and-loss report on their relationship with Colin Kaepernick. My bet is that he’s costing them a lot more than he’s worth,” said Project 21 Co-Chairman Council Nedd II. “They’ve paid him millions, and now he’s costing ...
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Reparations Proposal Called a “Sham” by Black Activists

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Taxpayer Payments for Slavery Would Be Unnecessary and Divisive, Says Project 21 Washington, D.C. - Calling the idea of reparations for slavery a “sham,” members of the Project 21 black leadership network say black Americans who take advantage of opportunities already available to all Americans can still achieve the American Dream. They also say an upcoming congressional hearing on reparations is a crass political move to shore up black support and will only hurt race relations. “Slavery ended more than 150 years ago. It doesn’t make sense to force people who didn’t own slaves to pay people who never were ...
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Juneteenth Celebration of Past Emancipation Must Focus on Protecting Freedom and Opportunity

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Project 21 Urges Black Americans to Abolish Their “Mental and Emotional Slavery” Washington, D.C. - In observance of “Juneteenth,” the oldest and most popular commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, members of the Project 21 black leadership network urge black Americans to go beyond just celebrating past achievements. Instead, black Americans are urged to break free of mental and emotional bonds that can restrict them from taking full advantage of the opportunities now available to them. “Juneteenth is essentially the black Independence Day - recognizing our emancipation from slavery,” said Project 21 member Adrian Norman. “And ...
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Black Activists Applaud Policy Requiring Noncitizens to Pay Back Welfare Benefits

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Trump Order Holds Immigrants and Their Sponsors Fiscally Accountable Activists with the Project 21 black leadership network are applauding the Trump Administration’s announcement of a policy requiring noncitizens or their sponsors to be financially responsible for the expense of any welfare benefits a noncitizen receives. The activists note that this policy is compliant with immigration recommendations found in Project 21’s own “Blueprint for a Better Deal for Black America.” “This is a move that should be welcomed by those providing social services, because it will ensure American citizens who need assistance are not pushed aside. Noncitizens are draining resources meant ...
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Black Activists Support Stronger Work Requirements for “Food Stamp” Aid

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Project 21 Lauds "Return on Investment" for Amending "Unnecessary and Unproductive" Obama Era SNAP Waivers Washington, D.C. - Most able-bodied individuals should be held to work requirements in order to qualify for food stamps, according to public comments submitted by members of the Project 21 black leadership network. Project 21's comments to the federal government support a proposed rule to close a broad Obama-era waiver that states use to distribute Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The proposed rule, entitled "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents," seeks to narrow the criteria by which a state can ...
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Jussie Smollett’s “Privilege,” Preventing Prosecution, Condemned by Black Activists

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Project 21 Says NAACP Should Still Drop Smollett From Image Awards Lineup Washington, D.C. - After prosecutors dropped charges against actor Jussie Smollett in the case of an alleged Chicago hate crime hoax, members of the Project 21 black leadership network are condemning the situation as a crass display of "celebrity privilege" harmful to both race relations and the reputation of the law enforcement community. Project 21 continues to maintain that the NAACP should drop its nomination of Smollett for an honor at its upcoming Image Awards ceremony. "This case stands for one clear proposition - regardless of color. In America ...
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Trump Education Reforms Applauded by Black Activists

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White House Higher Ed Proposals Align With Project 21’s “Blueprint for a Better Deal for Black America” Recommendations Washington, D.C. - Black activists with the Project 21 black leadership network are applauding the Trump Administration’s newly announced reforms for American colleges and universities. Many of the policies announced by the White House align with recommendations made in Project 21’s “Blueprint for a Better Deal for Black America” to increase black opportunity and prosperity. Policies in the Trump Administration proposal praised by Project 21 include more accountability, better accreditation processes and specific support for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Project ...
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