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Andrew Gillum Addresses Future, Importance of Black Press

NNPA NEWSWIRE — “Beginning in about two weeks I will be teaching a fellowship at Harvard University,” Gillum said in an exclusive tidbit from a fireside chat conducted by NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. during a luncheon at the Hilton Orlando Hotel on Thursday, Jan. 24.

Published

8 years ago

January 30, 2019

Oakland Post

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

Former Tallahassee Mayor and Florida Gubernatorial Candidate, Andrew Gillum, didn’t break the kind of news that many publishers, editors and journalists may have wanted at the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s (NNPA) annual Midwinter Training Conference in Orlando, but the HBCU graduate did provide the Black Press of America some newsworthy tidbits about what he’s doing now and what the future might hold.

“Beginning in about two weeks I will be teaching a fellowship at Harvard University,” Gillum said in an exclusive tidbit from a fireside chat conducted by NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. during a luncheon at the Hilton Orlando Hotel on Thursday, Jan. 24.

The luncheon was sponsored by General Motors and Wells Fargo and representatives of both companies were on hand to talk about their commitment to the Black Press.

Gillum, who lost a tight and controversial race to Republican Ron De Santis by just 30,000 votes, said he has also been spending time with his family.

“Right now, I’m planning to date my wife,” the former Tallahassee mayor said.

However, even with a wife, three children and a new teaching job, Gillum also hasn’t lost his focus on politics or the 2020 presidential election. “My grandmother says ‘know better, do better,’” Gillum said.

“I learned something about the gap that exists in my state and that there are road barriers for the Democrats. The young voters turned out at the highest rate in the history of the state of Florida,” he said, noting that his goal is to help register 1 million voters by the 2020 election.

For those seeking to win in 2020, Gillum said it’s paramount that they engage the Black Press.

“Anybody trying to win in 2020, specifically if they are trying to win off the backs of black folk, those investments have to be made and they have to be made early,” Gillum said. “There’s always a lot of lip service, but those investments need to be made.”

Gillum made note of the partnership between the Black Press and corporations like Wells Fargo and General Motors.

He called relationships like that a win-win where there’s major benefits for each party, but he still commended those companies for “putting their money where their mouths are.” It’s something that presidential and other political hopefuls should follow, Gillum said.

Chavis told the Democrat that the Black Press couldn’t be more proud of his efforts.” All of us, and Mayor Gillum, let me tell you that we represent over 215 African American newspapers and media companies across the country and, conservatively, we reach about 25 million in print, digital and social media,” Chavis said.

“There’s about 47 million African Americans in the country and we reach the majority. On behalf of the Black Press of America, we couldn’t be prouder than to witness your campaign,” Chavis said, in a comment echoed by Houston Forward Times Associate Editor and Columnist Jeffrey Boney.

“Thank you for running an outstanding race that was full of class and showing us what class and intelligence looks like as opposed to foolishness and racism,” Boney told Gillum.

As he’s toured the country, Gillum said he’s surprised about how many have zeroed in on the particulars of his race against De Santis. “I have to tell you this race was the highlight of my life to this point,” he said. “We put a lot into it and it took a lot out of me.”

Since the election, he said he’s been invited to speak at many events but has remained selective. However, he said the Black Press remains important, which is why he accepted an invite to attend the Midwinter Training Conference.

Gillum also took time to thank Chavis, NNPA Chair and Crusader Newspapers Publisher Dorothy R. Leavell, and other members of the Black Press for fair and accurate reporting during his campaign.

He said he’s picked up a few lessons from his campaign, including how important a role Florida played in past elections and how critical a role it’ll play in future campaigns. “In terms of electoral politics and where we are going as a nation, the conversation is on full display here,” Gillum said.

“Here in the state of Florida, we deal in real-time voter suppression and voter disenfranchisement and we undermine the democratic process,” he said, noting that he lost by 30,000 votes in a race where 8.2 million ballots were cast.

“You had about 20,000 votes rejected off of signature and these are voters who had ballots sent to them, fixed their signature and added their own postage because in my state, every county pays for postage,” Gillum said.

A recent study noted that of the rejected signatures, 7 out of 10 were individuals of color.

“I don’t know that there’s something so particular about how black people sign their names, but there’s something peculiar about this,” he said.

It’s another reason why the role of the Black Press, it’s publishers and journalists are so important, Gillum said. “You couldn’t be more important in today’s politics and culture than you are right now. As we stare down the barrel of the 2020 presidential election where we have the most diverse candidates, if you’re not at the table they say you’re on the menu.”

Gillum referenced the recent CBS News release which touted the network’s 2020 election coverage team. It didn’t include an African American and has since drawn the ire of those in the Black community. “It’s a problem,” Gillum said of the CBS release.

“Anybody who looked at that and thought it was celebratory is clearly missing out on some important lenses in the context of this conversation,” he said.

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Here is what you need to know about finding unique white elephant gift ideas that everyone wants to steal

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition. The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half […]

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition.

The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half a second, and suddenly everyone wants the same gift. That is the sweet spot. A great white elephant pick should make people laugh, lean in, and start plotting their next steal before the turn is even over.

Should a White Elephant Gift Be Funny or Useful?

A white elephant gift can be funny or useful, but the strongest choices usually give people a reason to laugh and a reason to keep the item. A practical gift with an odd design, unexpected feature, or playful theme can get a reaction without becoming something the recipient immediately wants to give away.

The right balance depends on the group. Close friends and family members may enjoy a ridiculous gag gift because they already understand one another’s sense of humor.

A workplace exchange, neighborhood party, or mixed-age gathering usually calls for something with broader appeal. In those settings, humor works better when it is built into an item people could still use afterward.

It also helps to think about how quickly the gift will make sense once it is opened. A strangely shaped kitchen tool, oversized mug, quirky desk accessory, or unexpectedly fancy everyday item can create an immediate reaction. Guests understand the joke right away, while the item still has enough practical value to attract a steal.

Pure gag gifts can be harder to pull off. Something that exists only for the punchline may get a big laugh during the reveal and then sit untouched for the rest of the game. If the goal is to bring one of the gifts everyone keeps fighting over, usefulness gives the joke staying power.

Memorable Present Ideas: Creating Inside Joke Gifts

Inside joke gifts can make a white elephant exchange feel much more personal, especially when most of the group shares the same stories. The trick is choosing a reference that people will recognize quickly instead of building the entire joke around something only two guests understand.

You can turn a memorable vacation mishap, office catchphrase, family story, or long-running group joke into the theme of the gift. A personalized comic book can work especially well when it turns familiar people or a ridiculous shared moment into part of the story.

Think carefully about who the joke involves before ordering anything permanent. The gift should make the person feel included in the fun, not singled out for the wrong reason.

Can You Bring Something You Already Own?

Holiday gift exchanges can be a good place to re-gift something you never used, especially if it is unopened and clean.

The following can all work if they still look presentable:

A duplicate kitchen gadget
An untouched game
A decorative item
A sealed gift set
An unopened candle
A new travel accessory

The goal is to give the item a second chance, not use the exchange as an excuse to clear out damaged or unwanted clutter.

Take a close look at the packaging before wrapping it. Faded boxes, missing pieces, visible wear, or anything that looks obviously used can make the gift feel careless.

Wrapping Budget-Friendly Gifts

Wrapping can make gifts more entertaining before anyone even knows what’s inside.

Misdirection works especially well for fun party games. Put a small gift inside a much larger box. Use packaging from an unrelated household item.

Add harmless weight so guests cannot guess what they are holding. The reveal becomes part of the joke without changing the gift itself.

You can also lean into the theme of the exchange. Bright paper, oversized bows, reusable bags, or deliberately over-the-top wrapping can make an ordinary item feel more memorable. If the gift itself is already funny, simple wrapping may work better so the surprise stays hidden until the last second.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Picking Last an Advantage in White Elephant?

Picking last can be an advantage because you get to see almost every gift before making your move. Instead of choosing blindly from the remaining wrapped presents, you can steal something that has already caught your attention if the rules still allow it.

That advantage depends on the house rules. Some games limit how many times a gift can be stolen.

Others lock an item once it reaches a certain number of steals. If the most popular gifts are already unavailable, the final player may have fewer strong options than expected.

The first player can also get another turn at the end in some versions of the game. That rule can balance things out, since the person who started with the least information may get one final chance to steal.

How Do You Plan White Elephant for a Large Group?

For a large white elephant exchange, set a firm spending limit and establish the stealing rules in advance.

Create a clear turn order before the game begins. Drawing numbers as guests arrive can save time once everyone is ready to start.

Keep the number of steals per gift limited so the game does not drag on. It also helps to have one person track which creative holiday presents have been stolen and when they are locked, especially if dozens of people are participating.

Can You Play White Elephant Virtually?

A virtual white elephant exchange can work over a video call, with one person keeping track of the turn order and each steal. Guests can either mail physical gifts ahead of time or use digital gifts that can be delivered once the game ends.

Set the spending limit and stealing rules before everyone joins. It also helps to decide how gifts will be revealed and who is responsible for sending each one afterward so the exchange does not become confusing.