Project 21: Press Releases

Decision Aligns With Project 21 Brief Against Ballot Harvesting, Out-of-Precinct Voting Washington, D.C. - Affirming a major safeguard for voter integrity, the U.S. Supreme Court today upheld an Arizona ban on “ballot harvesting.” Members of the Project 21 black leadership network said this decision, coupled with the recent defeat of pro-harvesting legislation in the U.S. Senate, represents a decisive blow against the infamous election practice. “Today the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the right of state legislatures to adopt voter integrity measures offering all voters an equal opportunity to vote,” said Project 21 Co-Chairman Horace Cooper. “There is a huge difference ...

Black Activists Oppose Politicization of Emancipation Celebration Washington, D.C. - Despite more than twenty years of acknowledging the importance of Juneteenth, members of the Project 21 black leadership network refrained from encouraging a rush into making the emancipation-themed celebration a formal national holiday. "Juneteenth is already everything but a national holiday since 47 states, local governments and even private companies recognize it," said Project 21 member Martin Baker. "Juneteenth was an acknowledgement of the Emancipation Proclamation, which history tells us only applied to the states in rebellion. If we truly want to celebrate an all-encompassing 'freedom day,' perhaps we should ...

"Hypocrite" Basketball Star Wears Logo of Retailer Marketing Confederate Flags and Robert E. Lee Lunch Bags Washington, D.C. - Despite cultivating the reputation of a social justice warrior, basketball star LeBron James and his Los Angeles Lakers teammates have hit the court with the logo of online retailer Wish on their uniforms since 2017. Members of the Project 21 black leadership network criticized James, the Lakers and the NBA for political inconsistency for their relationship of a retailer that sells products honoring the Confederacy. "I wish LeBron wasn't a hypocrite, but I guess it's part of being on the woke ...

Project 21 Members Give President Low Marks Washington, D.C. – While President Joe Biden used tonight’s congressional address to pat himself on the back for his first 100 days in office, he received only criticism from the members of the Project 21 black leadership network. Citing the human costs of Biden’s political priorities, these black conservatives said the needs of the president’s black supporters “have been predictably ignored.” “The policy needs of black Americans always come last with liberals - regardless of the high percentage of blacks who support them,” said Project 21 Co-Chairman Stacy Washington. “President Biden claimed his ...

Black Activists Challenge Soda Giant to “Launch a Campaign to Help Get IDs to Those Who Need Them” Washington, D.C. - With Coca-Cola executives finally showing interest in finding “common ground” regarding election integrity safeguards, members of the Project 21 black leadership network urged the beverage corporation to do what it takes to encourage full participation of black Americans in both political and civil life. “If Coke really wants to make an effort, instead of fighting voter identification it should launch a campaign to help get IDs to those who need them,” said Project 21 member Marie Fischer. “It’s ironic ...

Supreme Court Case Could Impact Election Integrity Challenges Washington, D.C. – As part of an important voting rights case being considered today by the U.S. Supreme Court, the Project 21 black leadership network joined a legal brief asking the justices to remember that “[e]qual protection should ensure that government decision-making is free from the taint of racial considerations, but disparate impact liability does not allow racial impartiality.” The Court will hear arguments today in a case that may render unconstitutional many of the race-based conjectures that mark sweeping new election reforms being considered by the U.S. Congress. “Phony claims of ...

Washington, D.C. – Members of the Project 21 black leadership network criticized the $1.9 trillion spending package currently under consideration on Capitol Hill, noting that large portions of the plan are irrelevant to its stated goal of COVID-19 relief and are thus an irresponsible waste of taxpayer resources. “Rather than a package to address the challenges our nation’s economy faces, this nearly $2 trillion proposal is far more likely to make Americans worse off, not better,” said Project 21 Co-Chairman Horace Cooper. A Wall Street Journal analysis determined that $825 billion in the package could be defined as “COVID-related provisions” ...

Black Conservatives Deliver Inclusive Message for Black History Month Observance Washington, D.C. – After a year of upheaval dominated by racial division, members of the Project 21 black leadership network have declared that “black history is American history.” In marking this year’s Black History Month, they noted that Americans of every ethnic background have benefitted from America’s founding values of liberty and opportunity. “Black history is American history. There is no other race or ethnicity in these United States that – despite having obviously started with the greatest disadvantage – has achieved so much politically, economically and socially in the ...

"Dr. King Would Not Have Approved of the Way Violence Was Used to Accomplish Social and Political Goals" Washington, D.C. - Members of the Project 21 black leadership network are available for interviews regarding Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life and legacy as Americans prepare for the annual commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 18. They note that many of the words and actions seen in political discourse over the past year conflict with Dr. King's ideology. "As we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., let us not forget the barriers that have ...

Trump Free-Market Policies Are Credited for “Stunning” Economic Recovery Washington, D.C. – The latest federal employment report revealed yet another month of recovery for the American workforce. Members of the Project 21 black leadership network credited the Trump Administration for policies that have brought back jobs - particularly in black communities - after businesses were devastated earlier this year by COVID-19 lockdowns. “The news just keeps getting better. The free-market policies of President Trump have lowered the unemployment rate at the fastest level in history! The jobless rate dropping from nearly 15% to under 7% in less than a year ...

Employment Recovery Called “a Testament to Trumponomics” Washington, D.C. - President Donald Trump’s economic policies were responsible for last month’s improved employment numbers, said members of the Project 21 black leadership network, who credited the president with reviving an economy devastated by COVID-19 lockdowns and with helping the black community get back on its feet. “Even in a pandemic, the free-market policies of the Trump Administration are growing the economy and benefiting America - especially black America,” said Project 21 Co-Chairman Horace Cooper. "The October jobs report provided further great news about America's super-V recovery from the China-virus lockdown,” said ...

Project 21 Member Testifies That “Environmental Justice Movement is Part of the Problem, Not Part of the Solution” Washington, D.C. – Criticizing those who see “environmental justice” as a “one-sided issue,” a member of the Project 21 black leadership network will testify today before Congress in favor of a more balanced approach in applying racial considerations to the federal grantmaking process. Project 21 member Donna Jackson is scheduled to testify at a virtual hearing of the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Water, Oceans and Wildlife on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 2pmET. The hearing is entitled “Environmental Justice for ...

Trump Order Would Purge “Tired, Old and Evil Idea” From Federal Employment Washington, D.C. – Members of the Project 21 black leadership network applauded the Trump Administration for seeking to defund all federal training rooted in “critical race theory,” a radical philosophy promoting a false notion of systemic American racism and pitting races against each other. “Critical race theory is bigotry, pure and simple. Its advocates should apologize to Jim Crow and South African apartheid supporters for ever offering a critical word,” said Project 21 Co-Chairman Horace Cooper. “Claiming that people have characteristics and behaviors due solely to their race is ...

“Academic Achievement Should Be Rewarded Without Racial Contingencies” Washington, D.C. - Members of the Project 21 black leadership network praised the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for confronting Yale University over its discriminatory admissions practices. DOJ threatened the Ivy League institution with a civil rights lawsuit after a federal investigation revealed prejudice against Asian-American and white applicants. “For so long, complaints against racial preferences in admissions fell on deaf ears because the complaints came from white students. The justification was that current discrimination in favor of blacks is necessary recompense for historical discrimination against blacks," said Project 21 member Derryck ...

Report That Host Sage Steele Wasn't "Black Enough" for Documentary Raises Concerns About Sports Network's Agenda Washington, D.C. - Veteran ESPN host Sage Steele was reportedly excluded from a network documentary on race and sports because - despite being biracial - her political and social views were not considered by colleagues to be racially authentic. The Project 21 black leadership network called upon the Walt Disney Company to conduct a thorough and public review of political and racial biases at ESPN to determine what remedies are needed to end prejudices at the sports network. "ESPN owes Sage Steele a huge ...

Discriminatory Blaine Amendments Denied Educational Opportunities to Families in Need Washington, D.C. – Today's U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Montana's discriminatory "Blaine Amendment" was cheered by members of the Project 21 black leadership network, who called it a major win for poor and minority parents who have been forced into failing public schools based solely upon where they live. In many states throughout the country, school choice opponents have utilized Blaine Amendments to prevent parents from accessing government assistance when choosing private schools with faith-based backgrounds for their children. "The justices in the majority tore down a monument to intolerance ...

Project 21 and Justice Clarence Thomas Reject SCOTUS Abortion Decision Washington, D.C. – Members of the Project 21 black leadership network condemned today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned a Louisiana law requiring abortionists to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. Noting that black women are disproportionately at risk of unnecessary harm during abortion procedures, Project 21 had appealed to the justices through a legal brief that argued against throwing out “a substantial medical benefit that justifies any minimal burden” and thus allowing abortionists to escape oversight and safety requirements. “It’s a sad day when the Supreme Court rules ...

Project 21 to Mayor Lightfoot, Governor Pritzker: “It’s Time to Take ‘Yes’ for an Answer” Washington, D.C. - Activists with the Project 21 black leadership network applauded President Donald Trump’s efforts to reach out to Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker to help end the violence in the Windy City. "I commend the president for reaching out to the leaders of Chicago and Illinois. The wanton violence in Chicago has gone on for too long, and Governor Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot must not continue sitting by idly,” said Project 21 Co-Chairman Horace Cooper. “It's time to take ...

After Fey’s Blackface Apology, Project 21 Challenges Taxpayer-Funded Institution to Hold Fey to Her Own Standard Washington, D.C. – The Project 21 black leadership network requested that the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts rescind the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor that it awarded to Tina Fey, in light of the use of blackface on her television show and her recent request to remove that content from circulation. “We are not trying to cancel Tina Fey. Tina Fey cancelled herself when she asked Hulu to purge offensive episodes of ‘30 Rock,’ calling the fruits of her creativity ...

"Society wants us to succeed, but it's up to us to want to succeed" Washington, D.C. - In advance of "Juneteenth," the oldest and most recognized commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, members of the Project 21 black leadership network urged black Americans to avoid pitfalls of negativity and to embrace the opportunities that America has to offer. "Our takeaway from the death of George Floyd should be that America came together as one to denounce what happened and speak out against racial injustice. This blessing is our chance to take full advantage of the opportunities ...