Project 21: Press Releases

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Actor Does Not Deserve Honor After Arrest for Hate Crimes Hoax Washington, D.C. - After Jussie Smollett's indictment on felony charges for lying to law enforcement about an alleged hate crime, members of the Project 21 black leadership network are asking the NAACP to rescind Smollett's nomination for an upcoming Image Award. "Everyone has a reason to be disappointed with Jussie Smollett right now, and these accumulated reasons justify the NAACP taking swift and appropriate action to remove him from consideration for its Image Award," said Project 21 Co-Chairman Council Nedd II. "Smollett is charged with perpetrating a hate crime ...

Themes of Unity and Strength Commended by Project 21 Members Washington, D.C. – Calling it “a time of much-needed unity” and a show of “amazing leadership,” members of the Project 21 black leadership network are praising President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. “Tonight, President Trump reminded the American people of who we are and who we are not,” said Project 21 Co-Chairman Stacy Washington, a national radio talk show host. “We rescued other nations from murderous tyrants then and refuse to bow down to the terrorists who seek our destruction now. We are not socialists or practitioners of infanticide. President ...

Law Schools Need to Be Held Accountable When Graduates Can’t Pass Bar Exam Washington, D.C. - Favoring diversity over quality, the American Bar Association (ABA) recently rejected a proposal to hold law schools responsible for not preparing students for the rigors of the legal profession. Members of the Project 21 black leadership network condemn this decision, calling for reforms that protect students who are accepted to meet social justice goals but then effectively set up to fail. “I’ve seen too many promising black students with great potential for other fields drop out of law school because it wasn’t the right ...

Washington, D.C. – A medical school yearbook photo of Virginia Governor Ralph Northam in either blackface or a KKK hood is eliciting calls for his resignation. This comes on the heels of comments Northam made earlier this week about abortion legislation in which he seemed to advocate infanticide. Members of the Project 21 black leadership network are speaking out against the embattled governor. “Very rarely does a politician leave me surprised or speechless. But this week, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam advocated for the murder of newly born infants, and then managed to add yet another dimension to his résumé of ...

Youth’s Calm Efforts to De-Escalate Conflict Should Be a Model for Adults Washington, D.C. – Covington Catholic High School teen Nick Sandmann deserves to be praised rather than vilified, say leaders of the black leadership network Project 21. “Faced with racially-motivated taunts, Nick Sandmann chose to smile and encourage his classmates to refrain from engaging in debate. He was heeding Proverbs 15:1’s advice that ‘A gentle answer turns away wrath.’ But in its haste to portray anyone who supports President Trump as a villain, the liberal media branded this young man a racist before these facts were known,” said Project ...

Washington, D.C. – With Martin Luther King Jr. Day approaching, black conservative activists are commemorating the late civil rights icon’s life, lessons and legacy. Members of the Project 21 black leadership network are available to discuss Dr. King’s importance in American history and how they feel others have honored – and dishonored – his legacy. “Dr. King’s legacy is not only a celebration of the life of the slain civil rights leader; it’s also an important reminder that it’s safe to dream big,” said Project 21 member Demetrius Minor, an evangelical youth minister and free speech activist. “We must dream ...

Project 21 “Blueprint” Recommends Prohibition of Most Public Services for Illegal Immigrants Washington, D.C. – In response to President Donald Trump’s address to the nation on immigration and border security issues, members of the Project 21 black leadership network are supporting strong enforcement policies intended to stop the unfair strain on public services caused by illegal immigration – a strain that disproportionately impacts black communities. “President Trump laid out a clear case for why we need to secure our southern border,” said Project 21 member Emery McClendon. “Liberals are allowing the government shutdown to overshadow a very serious problem. That ...

Option to Pool Resources Can Help Small Businesses Short on Time and Money Washington, D.C. - Recognizing the benefit of allowing small businesses to pool their resources and share risk regarding 401(k) investment plans, the Project 21 black leadership network offered supportive comments about a proposed federal rule designed to encourage the expansion of Association Retirement Plans. "By allowing the willing to work together, the Trump Administration is promoting a way for small business owners to offer their employees and themselves retirement security opportunities," said Project 21 member Derrick Hollie, a small business owner who submitted the organization's comments to ...

Work Requirements Encourage Self-Worth, Build on 1996 Welfare Reform Success Washington, DC - Plans to strengthen the work requirements for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, or "food stamps") assistance eligibility are being applauded by members of the Project 21 black leadership network. This reform is consistent with a recommendation found in the organization's "Blueprint for a Better Deal for Black America." "People should not be able to become professional entitlement beneficiaries – especially during times of low unemployment. President Trump and the U.S. Department of Agriculture should be commended for wanting to make sure our tax dollars are spent wisely," ...

Bill Undermines Mandatory Minimum Sentencing That Applies Law Equitably, Prevents Lenient Judicial Activism Washington, D.C. - Black conservative leaders are speaking out against the "First Step Act" criminal justice reform bill because of provisions in the bill that would undermine the benefits of mandatory minimum sentencing. Members of the Project 21 black leadership network, who offer their own set of criminal justice reform recommendations, said the bill as currently written "would be a step back" for public safety and "have an especially harmful effect on minority communities." The First Step Act is supported by President Donald Trump. It may come up ...

Black Activists Say Voting Carson’s Name Off School Devalues Black Achievement, Ignores Hope and History Washington, D.C. - A Detroit school honoring Dr. Ben Carson may be renamed, and activists with the Project 21 black leadership network criticize the effort as a purely political act which willfully ignores the accomplishments and charitable acts of the famous Detroit native who now serves as the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). "This is another misguided effort by liberals to erase history. The Detroit school board had no problem with the name of the school before Dr. Carson became active in ...

Host Called White Men America's "Biggest Terror Threat" Washington, D.C. - Leaders of the Project 21 black leadership network are calling on CNN to break its silence about host Don Lemon's radical on-air comments in which he called white men the "biggest terror threat" facing America. The co-chairman of Project 21 – Horace Cooper, Bishop Council Nedd II and Stacy Washington – made the following statement: Within a space of five seconds, CNN's Don Lemon went from saying we shouldn't demonize people to broadly labeling white men as our nation's "biggest terror threat." That's not responsible journalism. This cannot stand. CNN ...

Washington, DC – Calling “excessive regulation… one of the most significant non-racial obstacles to black economic progress,” members of the Project 21 black leadership network filed public comments with the federal government supporting a halt to increasing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for cars and light trucks. Declaring the proposal to retain model year 2020 miles-per-gallon mandates through at least model year 2026 a “smart move,” Project 21 member Derrick Hollie wrote in a public comment submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration that the proposal “promises more vehicles that people want to safely transport their families, engage ...

Cost and Availability of Public Housing Should Be Prioritized Over Racial Demographics, Say Project 21 Leaders Washington D.C. – New plans by the Trump Administration to refocus public housing policy on supply and affordability rather than diversity are being applauded by members of the Project 21 black leadership network. This policy change rescinds an Obama-era mandate that is “actually suffocating investment in some of our most distressed neighborhoods,” according to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson. “Public housing isn’t supposed to be permanent housing,” said Project 21 Co-Chairman Council Nedd II, who is also an ...