Project 21: Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - The second federally-observed Juneteenth holiday once again falls on a weekend, which means the federal government, banks and other institutions are observing Juneteenth 2022 on the following Monday. A paid day off. No mail service. Libraries closed. No parking enforcement. And not on the official day of Juneteenth. Is this what the freed slaves of Galveston, Texas envisioned when they began commemorating Juneteenth? Members of the Project 21 black leadership network have observed and discussed Juneteenth for the past 23 years. They are sharing their insight on the proper ways to commemorate Juneteenth as a national holiday. "There are those who would use Juneteenth to tell me that ...

Washington, D.C. – A member of the Project 21 black leadership network was denied entry to the American Express annual shareholder meeting in New York today despite presenting proper credentials. Derrick Hollie intended to question the credit giant about its sizable investment in “Diversity & Inclusion” policies that sacrifice merit in order to discriminate based on surface characteristics such as skin color. “From the beginning, the tone of investor relations was to not let me in,” Hollie said after the incident, which drew attention from other attendees. “They knew what we were there for.” Hollie was attending the meeting on ...

While Leaked Opinions Set Poor Precedent, Possible Ruling Applauded Washington, D.C. – Members of the Project 21 black leadership network expressed cautious optimism regarding a leaked document indicating that the U.S. Supreme Court may overturn Roe v. Wade and return the issue of abortion back to the states. They also criticized apparent political motivations behind the leak. “Along with the rest of America, I am waiting for verification and confirmation that this is the justices’ true decision,” said Project 21 member and pro-life leader Day Gardner. “However, I was immediately overcome with tears of joy -- giving praise and glory ...

Project 21 Members Say Expanded Rooney Rule Overlooks Talent to Satisfy Woke Demands Washington, D.C. – Members of the Project 21 black leadership network called new National Football League (NFL) hiring mandates “cruel” and “discriminatory,” and criticized league management for caving to “woke” pressures for equity that will harm the sport and – ultimately – those who are hired to these set-aside positions. “NFL diversity mandates normalize discrimination. Equity is selectively enforced,” said Donna Jackson, Project 21’s director of membership development. “Black Americans make up 12.4 percent of the population while approximately 70 percent of NFL players are black. In ...

Black Activists Condemn Costs of Biden Agenda Washington, D.C. - Members of the Project 21 black leadership network called President Biden’s energy agenda an environmental injustice, noting that poor and minority Americans will be hurt the most by policies that restrict access to affordable energy. “Energy injustice on the part of the Biden Administration is driving energy poverty by keeping individuals and families from being able to afford basic heating, electric and gasoline needs,” said Project 21 member Derrick Hollie. “Green policies have a negative financial impact on vulnerable populations including low-income, minority, rural and senior citizen communities.” Having previously ...

Washington, D.C. – In response to President Biden’s 2022 State of the Union address, members of the Project 21 black leadership network said the president has earned his near-record-low approval ratings by championing unapologetically left-wing policies which have contributed to skyrocketing inflation, supply chain woes, unchecked foreign aggression and the scars of COVID lockdowns. “Confidence in Joe Biden’s America does not exist. As an Air Force veteran, I am so very embarrassed. Biden’s military is weak,” said Project 21 member Tiffanie Ditlevson. “And the added ‘Biden Buck’ on a gallon of gas – like Dollar Tree – crept up to ...

Judge Jackson’s Experience “Overshadowed” By Biden’s Race and Gender Prerequisites, Say Black Activists Washington, D.C. – Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court nomination will be forever stigmatized by the fact the her race and gender were her most important credentials, say members of the Project 21 black leadership network, who added that the nomination of the first black woman to the Court would have been more historic if it had been based on her experience, wisdom and character. “Congratulations to Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on her nomination to the Supreme Court,” said Project 21 member Melanie Collette. “Unfortunately, Judge Jackson’s ...

Primer Reveals How CRT’s Racist Agenda Is Dividing America Washington, D.C. - Critical Race Theory (CRT) is "a bad idea for America [and] especially hurtful for black Americans," said members of the Project 21 black leadership network, who have released a new primer that both defines CRT and offers unifying alternatives. The primer, entitled "What Critical Race Theory Means for Black America," is unique in that it offers insight into what black Americans think about the issue, why they oppose CRT and what they believe would better unite Americans and promote prosperity in black communities. "Critical Race Theory is like cancer, ...

“With Their Broad Mandates That Fail to Allow Businesses and Entrepreneurs to Create Jobs, Biden and Harris Are Great at Increasing Economic Instability” Washington, D.C. – The employment report issued today by the federal government disappointed black conservatives who see the nation’s rising unemployment rate and stagnant level of workforce participation as indicators of the Biden Administration failing to stabilize and grow the American economy. Members of the Project 21 black leadership network particularly criticized White House policies that result in high black unemployment, which remains well above average and twice the white unemployment rate. “There’s an old saying that ...

Project 21's Black Conservatives Had Asked Justices to Reexamine Case Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear two cases concerning racial preferences in higher education admissions. The Project 21 black leadership network joined a legal brief in one of those cases, asking the justices to reconsider a previous decision by the Court that allows discrimination in college and university admissions. "This is great news. Our Constitution is colorblind, and the 14th Amendment ensures that no American can be treated differently solely because of their race. This is true for college admissions as well," said Project 21 ...

Black Activists Say Politicization of Race Harms MLK’s Dream of Equality Washington, D.C. – Ahead of the annual observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, members of the Project 21 black leadership network warn that the politicization of race through Critical Race Theory (CRT) threatens Dr. King’s legacy of peace and unity among all people. “Observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday has given people an opportunity to remember and exemplify a great American leader who held to the principle that all men and women should be judged not by the color of their skin, but by their character,” ...

Project 21 Blasts Report Showing Rising Black Unemployment Washington, D.C. – Black unemployment increased in December, prompting members of the Project 21 black leadership network to question the economic competency of the Biden Administration. “The latest jobs report doesn’t say low job growth is a problem; it says too many people have stopped looking for work,” said Project 21 member Michael Austin. “In an economic address, Joe Biden said ‘a job is about a lot more than a paycheck. It's about your dignity.’ I wholeheartedly agree. That’s why we should take the latest jobs report as a sign to reject ...

Project 21 Joins Legal Brief Asking Justices to Overturn Higher Education Admissions Ruling Washington, D.C. - The Project 21 black leadership network joined with six other organizations and one parent to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider a previous decision that has resulted in racial discrimination in college and university admissions. In an amici curiae (“friends of the court”) legal brief asking the justices to accept the case of Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina, et. al., Project 21 and the others pointed out that the Court’s 2003 decision in the case of Grutter v ...

"Let’s Stop Saying the Justice System Doesn’t Work for People of Color” Washington, D.C. – After a jury in Glynn County, Georgia ruled decisively against the three men involved in the death of Ahmaud Arbery, members of the Project 21 black leadership network commented on the verdict and its implications. "Let’s stop saying the justice system doesn’t work for people of color,” said Project 21 member Donna Jackson. “From the civil rights era through today, our justice system has expanded the rights of black and brown people. This verdict shows that both the Constitution and our justice system are colorblind ...

Rioters Repudiated, Second Amendment Safe, Say Project 21 Members Washington, D.C. – After a jury in Kenosha, Wisconsin declared Kyle Rittenhouse not guilty of all charges against him, members of the Project 21 black leadership network commented on the verdict and its implications beyond Kenosha. In particular, Project 21 members called the jury’s decision a validation of the Second Amendment’s guarantee of the rights to keep and bear arms and to defend oneself. They are also calling for calm and respect for the decision. “I am pleased to see a just verdict was reached today. Clearly, this was an act ...

Washington, D.C. - The Project 21 black leadership network blasted the Biden Administration’s “fundamentally flawed” proposal to realign the mission of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) toward the political goal of “advanc[ing] environmental justice and equity.” In a public comment submitted to the federal government prior to a November 12 deadline, Project 21 opposed the EPA’s plan to make “environmental justice” a strategic goal - calling this “inherently incompatible” with existing agency principles of adherence to science, following existing law and transparency. “[I]n picking winners and losers,” Project 21’s comment noted, “the green lobby has pushed the government to ...

Biden Betrays “Environmental Justice” Claims By Risking Energy Poverty Washington, D.C. - Amidst soaring energy prices and predictions of a cold winter ahead, members of the Project 21 black leadership network condemned the Biden Administration for considering the shutdown of a pipeline that brings life-sustaining fossil fuels to the American people - particularly black Americans already dealing with energy poverty issues. On November 8, White House Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that the Army Corps of Engineers was reviewing the environmental impact of the Line 5 pipeline. This could result in a shutdown of this vital piece of energy ...

Project 21 Rejects NAACP Attempt to Silence News Channel Washington, D.C. - Representatives of the Project 21 black leadership network plan to meet with AT&T leaders Tuesday to urge the telecom giant to maintain its business relationship with the One America News (OAN) Network. The NAACP recently demanded that the company “drop OAN immediately.” This meeting is rescheduled for Monday, November 8. “It seems odd that a purported civil rights group like the NAACP is leveraging its reputation to try to silence a news channel,” said Project 21 Co-Chairman Horace Cooper, who is attending the meeting. “Have problems truly plaguing ...

Project 21 Joins Nearly 70 Lawmakers, Faith Leaders and Groups in Support of High School Coach's Right to Pray After Games Washington, D.C. - Calling the firing of a high school football coach who prayed alone on the field after games an "overt hostility to personal religious practice," the Project 21 black leadership network joined with former Vice President Mike Pence and other leading conservatives in asking the U.S. Supreme Court to accept a case that could help protect the freedom of public officials to practice their faith without fear of punishment. "Personal religious expressions and practices are a normal part ...

Project 21 Says “Everybody Suffers” Under “Racial Quotas” for Misbehavior Washington, D.C. - With the Biden Administration exploring a racial disparate-impact analysis of school discipline statistics, the leaders of the Project 21 black leadership network said this would set up a system of “racial quotas” of punishment in which “everybody suffers.” In a public comment submitted to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, the three co-chairmen of Project 21 wrote: Teachers shouldn’t be judged by statistics. Students deserve better classroom environments. That’s why the disparate-impact domination of discipline deserves a failing grade. It was explained that enforcing ...