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Joe Manchin’s Track Record with African Americans Explored as He Plans Senate Exodus

NNPA NEWSWIRE —. Given the concerted efforts by Republicans to curtail voting rights, specifically in minority communities, Manchin’s position has engendered skepticism regarding his dedication to guaranteeing equitable ballot access.
The post Joe Manchin’s Track Record with African Americans Explored as He Plans Senate Exodus first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 years ago

November 13, 2023

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

When West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin declared that he would not seek re-election, the announcement sparked speculation about his political future. Rather than stepping back from the national stage, Manchin continued to hint at aspirations beyond the Senate, fueling rumors of a potential presidential run on the No Labels ticket, possibly alongside GOP Senator Mitt Romney of Utah. Manchin, known for his bipartisan approach and centrist stance, has vowed to continue working towards bridging the partisan divide and addressing critical issues facing the nation. The No Labels movement, which promotes bipartisan problem-solving, could provide a platform for Manchin to pursue his vision of a more cooperative and united America.

Manchin’s resignation from the Senate creates concerns for Democrats regarding the party’s future in a politically polarized environment. The lightning rod Democrat frequently disagrees with the party’s more progressive members due to his unusual status as a moderate in a state that has historically supported conservatism. A particular facet of Manchin’s legacy that has been the subject of criticism is his rapport with African Americans. Black voters are concerned about Manchin’s stances on significant issues, including his refusal to support strong voting rights measures introduced by Democrats in response to the GOP’s rampant voter suppression laws and tactics. Given the concerted efforts by Republicans to curtail voting rights, specifically in minority communities, Manchin’s position has engendered skepticism regarding his dedication to guaranteeing equitable ballot access.

“I hear over and over again that Manchin is in no peril because there are no African Americans here,” the Rev. David Fryson said during a summer 2021 demonstration in West Virginia at Manchin’s office. Fryson compared Manchin’s 3.3-percentage-point reelection win in 2018 to the percentage of West Virginians who are Black — 3.6 percent. During that demonstration, which included the Rev. William Barber III, Black West Virginians expressed feelings of being dismissed and written off by Manchin, a sentiment echoed by many African Americans nationwide. Democratic supporters, particularly African-American voters, have found it difficult to reconcile Manchin’s track record with their anticipations of substantial backing on matters about voting and civil rights. The distinction between Manchin’s stance and Republican endeavors to restrict voting rights adds layers of intricacy to his legacy. His earlier rebukes of former President Barack Obama, and his refusal to help a once-Democratic control Congress push legislation vital to communities of color may always be viewed as problematic.

With Manchin stepping down, Democrats’ chances of keeping the coal country seat and holding on to their slim Senate majority are greatly handicapped and provide almost a guarantee that West Virginia voters, who supported the twice-impeached and four-times indicted former President Donald Trump, will elect a Republican in 2024.

Together with Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, a former Democrat who became an independent after last year’s midterms, Manchin helped weaken Biden’s plans for higher social spending to help underserved communities. Further, During Trump’s presidency, Manchin was the only Democrat to vote in favor of confirming conservative Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2018 and one of three Democrats to back another conservative, Neil Gorsuch, in 2017.

If Manchin does run for president, his record and ability to appeal to a wider range of voters will be closely looked at over the next few months. With a Democrat and a Republican leading the No Labels ticket, it could be the start of a new age of working together across party lines, or it could show how hard it is to get things done politically right now. “I believe in my heart of hearts that I have accomplished what I set out to do for West Virginia,” Manchin stated. “I have made one of the toughest decisions of my life and decided that I will not be running for re-election to the United States Senate, but what I will be doing is traveling the country and speaking out to see if there is an interest in creating a movement to mobilize the middle and bring Americans together.”

The post Joe Manchin’s Track Record with African Americans Explored as He Plans Senate Exodus first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Stacy M. Brown

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Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association

The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”
The post The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.” appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

By Jana Lang Propel Youth Reporter

Youth-Led Black August Event Brings Past to Present at East Oakland Boxing Association

The East Oakland Boxing Association (EOBA) and Youth Alive! came together on Aug. 21 to share with their community all that Black August means to them.

Held on EOBA’s patio at 816 98th Ave. in Deep East Oakland, the two organizations hosted their second annual Black August Experience, featuring a food tasting, financial literacy and mindfulness workshops, and voter registration with the League of Women Voters Oakland (LWV).

Black August is known as a time to uphold the legacy of prisoners who protested their conditions by fasting, fighting, and educating themselves on the economic and political circumstances that contributed to their incarceration.

According to its website, “EOBA is a multi-service youth and community development hub that goes far beyond the ring. While rooted in the discipline of boxing, for nearly 40 years EOBA has also integrated robust programs in workforce development, food justice, afterschool enrichment, financial literacy, mentorship, and wellness.”.

The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.”

Through Coro California, another leadership organization serving young people across the state for 80 years, they gained a broader understanding of Black August.

EOBA Executive Director Dawna Williams spoke about how much she learned about Black August from the youth who created it. “I let them educate me,” she said. Instead of talking about prison reform and mass incarceration, Williams and youth interns found that Black August meant so much more. “We would have done a disservice if we had just focused on who the people were and what their situation was…We tried to take their message from back in the day and make it relevant to the young people today. What do they need to know?”

Youth interns created and placed posters around the patio to help participants understand how traditional Black foodways, civic engagement, financial literacy, and the power of education are relevant to Black resistance today.

An EOBA member described Black August with Youth ALIVE! as “a whole vibe. “This year we added the Fun Zone for the kids, because you really cannot go wrong with a Fun Zone. I also loved seeing everyone chillin’ in the outdoor lounge, catching some Vitamin D and just enjoying a Friday evening together.”

The food tasting, a popular event from last year, featured traditional Black foods such as black-eyed peas, johnny cakes, and fried chicken. Led by Williams, the tasting included a talk about how these traditional foods were made and why they are forms of Black resilience.

The “‘Plate of History’ was a favorite of the online writers. “Fun, educational, and did I mention delicious? Our Taste of History cook, Angela Southall, served up some good eats while connecting food to history and culture.”

The writer also commended the “League of Women Voters Oakland for their civic leadership and for getting our young people informed, ready, and registered to vote.”

Overall, it was a “good Friday event in East Oakland,” the writer said.

Upcoming Black August events: Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency (BOSS), will host “Black August: The Arc of Liberation” at Oakland City Hall on Sat. Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The websites for East Oakland Boxing Association, Youth Alive! and CORO are sources for this report.

Jana Lang is an Oakland resident, teacher, gardener and poet participating in the Propel News Initiative.

The post The mission of Youth Alive! Is to “break the cycle of violence, heal trauma, and uplift a thriving community of leaders, to save lives in Oakland and beyond” by serving “as mentors, youth leaders, counselors, case managers, intervention specialists and violence interrupters,” working “to help violently wounded people heal themselves and their community.” appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Oakland Post

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EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts

Is your home EV charging setup ready? Dealerships may not warn you about critical outlet and circuit needs. Find out before you plug in!
The post EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

Dealerships won’t tell you: charging this big battery at home isn’t always simple. Verify your outlet capacity, circuit, and setup before assuming level one or basic outdoor outlets will suffice.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/A9Cd2SspoaQ

#AutoNetwork

The post EV Home Charging Warning: What Dealerships Won’t Tell You! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts

Don’t get tricked at the dealership! Learn essential car buying secrets to secure the best deal and avoid hidden traps.
The post Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 29, 2026

Oakland Post

Before stepping into a dealership, secure bank pre-approval for your financing rate. Then, get the out-the-door price in writing. Never discuss monthly payments until that number is fixed. Test road noise and rear visibility yourself. Decline add-ons with a simple ‘Not today’. Check backseat space with your tallest household member.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/maAOBjO1puY

#AutoNetwork

The post Car Buying Secrets: Dealership Traps & How to Avoid Them #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.