Commentary

Commentary: Biden’s Inauguration Marked by Swag and Magic of Black Folks

One of the Blackest moments witnessed that day was when Harris and former President Barack Obama greeted each other with double fist bumps.

Published

6 years ago

January 21, 2021

Kiki

Amanda Gorman, Courtesy Twitter

Black girl magic was on display big time at the inauguration of the 46^th president of the United States on Wednesday, and brothers were banging, too.

From the ceremony beginning in the late morning, to the virtual celebrations that went into the evening, Black people showed up and showed out.

By and large, the Black community began to breathe a little easier once Joseph R. Biden put his hand on the family Bible and swore an oath to uphold the Constitution and became president.

But the swooning started earlier when Michelle Obama walked down the interior steps of the Capitol sporting an ankle-length maroon coat over a matching jumpsuit, an uber-bling gold buckle at her waist by Black designer Sergio Hudson.

She was followed by Kamala Harris, resplendent in purple, which was the color favored by the late Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to serve in the House of Representatives and to run for the nation’s office. Black designers Christopher John Roberts and Hudson created Harris outfit.

Harris also wore a strand of pearls, emblematic of her sorority, the famed AKA.

And, in solidarity, while they watched the televised proceedings, Black girls and women all over the country wore them, too. (Congresswoman Barbara Lee wore Chisholm’s, which were given to her by the Chisholm’s goddaughter.)

One of the Blackest moments witnessed that day was when Harris and former President Barack Obama greeted each other with double fist bumps.

Observers and newscasters were moved to see that Eugene Goodman, the Capitol Police officer who diverted the mob away from the Senate floor on January 6, was assigned to Harris’ protection detail. Goodman, who has been promoted to deputy House sergeant at arms, swagged in tan camel hair with a blue Gucci scarf.

The pledge of allegiance was recited by Andrea Hall, a Fire Captain from South Fulton, Ga., who also performed it in sign language, a nod to her father who is deaf.

But it was the 22-year-old, Youth Poet Laureate of the U.S. Amanda Gorman, who brought the house down.

Small in stature, accompanied to the inauguration by her mother, Gorman assumed her place at the podium with the poise and grace of someone well beyond her years. Elaborately braided, her hair was piled high on her head, gold highlights gleaming, a red headband placed like a crown.

Her Prada coat was a bright yellow, Gorman’s favorite color and coincidentally another of Chisholm’s. Her earrings were a gift from Oprah Winfrey and she wore a ring shaped like a caged bird, memorializing the first Black woman to write and perform a poem for a presidential inauguration, Maya Angelou, in 1993.

And then Gorman began to recite her poem, ‘The Hill We Climb,’ where she alluded to the events of January 6 at the Capitol. Its final line was enough to make you cry: not with fury or despair, but hope. “The new dawn blooms as we free it. For there is always light if only we’re brave enough to see it, if only we’re brave enough to be it.”

The Rev. Dr. Silvester Beamon of Bethel AME Church in Wilmington, Del., gave the benediction.

As if that wasn’t enough Black magic for the day, then came Howard University’s Showtime Band, which accompanied Harris, their most famous alum, on her ride from the inauguration to the White House.

The drum major’s strut was subtle, the girls’ red outfits cut high on the thigh, flag bearers masterful, and the drumline syncopation distinctively, soulfully swinging. As usual.

About 100 yards from the White House, where her day would continue with swearing in three senators including her replacement, Harris walked with her family. They included her husband’s children and her sister Maya Harris and Harris’ niece, Meena Harris, who was accompanied by her partner and two daughters who slayed in spotted jackets.

In the evening virtual concert, John Legend invoked the memory of Nina Simone, his cover of ‘Feeling Good’ showing that he was, in fact, feeling good.

Near the close of the evening, Demi Lovato led a group of online singers in Bill Wither’s swinging tune, ‘A Lovely Day,’ which, of course, and at last, it had been.

Kiki

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Black History

IN MEMORIAM: The Rev. Leon “Sonny” Clark, Longtime Orange County Pastor and Community Leader, Dies at 72

Rev. Leon William “Sonny” Clark, the longtime pastor of New Spirit Baptist Church in Santa Ana and a prominent faith and community leader in Orange County, passed away on September 9 at the age of 72. Born in Bennettsville, South Carolina, Clark was a U.S. Navy veteran who dedicated his life to service. He served various Southern California churches before leading New Spirit Baptist Church for over 22 years, extending his work into counseling, mentoring, and civic engagement, and supporting the African American community. To learn more about his life and contributions, read more.

Published

1 day ago

September 28, 2026

Post News Group

The Rev. Leon “Sonny” Clark. File photo.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Rev. Leon William “Sonny” Clark, longtime pastor of New Spirit Baptist Church in Santa Ana and a respected faith and community leader in Orange County, died Sept. 9. He was 72.

Born Oct. 2, 1953, in Bennettsville, South Carolina, Clark was a U.S. Navy veteran who later built a life of service centered on family, faith, ministry, and community.

Clark began his formal ministry at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Altadena in 1978. After acknowledging his call to ministry in 1980, he preached his first sermon and went on to serve churches throughout Southern California, including Second Baptist Church in Riverside, Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Rubidoux, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Pomona, and Friendship Baptist Church in Yorba Linda.

In November 2003, Clark was called to lead New Spirit Baptist Church in Santa Ana, where he served as pastor for more than 22 years. His work extended beyond the pulpit through counseling, mentoring, civic engagement, and efforts to strengthen Orange County’s African American community.

Clark served on the Orange County Heritage Council and supported efforts to preserve and celebrate African American history and culture. He helped organize the Orange County Black History Parade and Unity Festival, served on the Interfaith Committee and the Orange County Transit Authority, and served as president of the Orange County Ministers Conference.

In 2024, the City of Santa Ana recognized Clark for his contributions to the community. He also received the Orange County Southern Baptist Association Hall of Faith Award and was previously honored as Pastor of the Year by the Orange County Heritage Council.

Clark is survived by his wife, Andrea Joyles Clark; six children, Shawn Williams, Le Ondra Clark Harvey, Kyla Coward, Joshua Clark, Marissa Clark and Ashley Clark; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; siblings; extended family; and the New Spirit Baptist Church congregation.

A wake will be held Thursday, Oct. 1, from 4 to 8 p.m. at New Spirit Baptist Church, 701 S. Sullivan St. in Santa Ana, with a remembrance service from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, Oct. 2, at Friendship Baptist Church, 17145 Bastanchury Road in Yorba Linda. Viewing begins at noon, followed by the service at 1 p.m.

Burial will take place Monday, Oct. 5, at 10:15 a.m. at Riverside National Cemetery.

Clark often shared a guiding principle that shaped his ministry: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”

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Black History

Remembering Chauncey Bailey as Student Journalists Face Threats to Truth-Telling

Nearly two decades ago, Oakland Post reporter and editor-in-chief Chauncey Bailey was tragically murdered for investigating a crooked business. His assassination shocked the journalism world and is remembered as student journalists today face increasing threats and censorship. A former classmate of Bailey and chair of the Student Press Law Center notes a significant rise in calls from students seeking legal advice amid a hostile environment. This situation highlights the importance of protecting young journalists and their pursuit of truth. Read more to learn about Bailey’s legacy and current challenges facing student press.

Published

1 day ago

September 27, 2026

Post News Group

By Steven A. Holmes Special to The Post

It is nearly 20 years since Chauncey Bailey, a crusading journalist, was murdered

on an Oakland street corner, gunned down to prevent him from writing stories about a

crooked business.

I hope people remember Bailey, a reporter and editor-in-chief for the

Oakland Post, the city’s Black newspaper. He had already written several articles about

the problems of a business called Your Muslim Bakery and was working on another

when the bakery’s owner ordered an employee to kill Bailey.

His murder shocked the journalism world that found the idea of an American

reporter killed for doing his job unfathomable. For me, the shock and sadness were also

personal.

I knew Bailey. In the mid-1970s we were classmates in the Michelle Clark Memorial

Foundation program, the precursor to the Institute for Journalism Education Summer

Program. A program, backed by the Ford Foundation, that provided intensive training

for fledgling minority journalism students and then placed them in jobs at newspapers

and television stations.

I’m reminded of Bailey and that program when I visit the East Bay at the end of

September to discuss the future of student journalism. To me, the visit will not only

evoke memories of Bailey. It will also be an opportunity to hone strategies to protect and

support student journalists who are under attack today, maybe not in the way that took away Chauncey Bailey, but an attack, nonetheless.

Spurred by the hostility toward the free press emanating out of Washington, high

school and college journalists are facing a barrage of censorship and harassment from

school administrators and local officials.

The 24-hour hotline staffed by the Student Press Law Center (SPLC), the non-profit I chair, has seen a 35% increase in calls from student journalists seeking legal advice on censorship, libel and copyright issues during the past two years, as well as a tripling in the number of complaints of harassment, including threats of firing, of faculty advisors.

I am not suggesting today’s national climate is as dangerous as the murderous

intentions of Yusef Bey IV, the man who ordered Bailey’s assassination. But the

harassment of student journalists does kill something else. It can destroy the desire of

student journalists to continue their growth to become professional news gatherers and

producers – something the country will always need.

It is that professional maturation that I’m reminded of when I think back on Chauncey

Bailey.

Truth be told, when we were classmates back in 1974 Bailey was the class clown,

known more for his sardonic wit than his writing or reporting talent. I have vivid

memories of Bailey sitting at his desk in the back of the room regaling us with sarcastic

comments. Sure, he was funny.

And he didn’t exhibit the level of reporting skills of our other classmates such as Milton Coleman who went on to be the Deputy Managing Editor of the Washington Post or Alexis Scott who for years has run the Atlanta Daily World.

After a series of reporting jobs in Hartford, Connecticut, Detroit, Michigan, and Oakland, Bailey had risen in talent and skill to helm this very newspaper. A tip from a source led Bailey to look into the possibility that Bey was running Your Muslim Bakery into bankruptcy. Word that Bailey was working on that story filtered back to Bey who ordered the journalist killed.

On August 2, 2007, Bailey was shot three times at point-blank range as he walked to work.

So, when I think of my trip to the East Bay my thoughts go to journalism’s past

represented by Chauncey Bailey’s sacrifice and what the staff and the board of SPLC

can do to secure the current and future work of student journalists.

Steven A. Holmes is a former Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist. His novel “Black Messiahs” was published in May this year.