Trump’s D.C. takeover, Smithsonian ‘review,’ RIP Danielle Spencer
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What I’m Reading
Trump officials reveal D.C. takeover is first step to military state, New Republic
Earlier this week, Trump announced a takeover of the nation’s capital — he federalized the D.C. police and deployed the National Guard — in what he claims is an attempt to tamp down on local crime.
Videos on social media have shown law enforcement walking around the Georgetown neighborhood, doing nothing in particular, setting up a checkpoint on the popular 14th Street Northwest, stopping drivers for “seat belt violations and broken taillights,” and antagonizing Black residents in Southeast D.C.
For The New Republic, Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling explained how Trump’s takeover of D.C. is just a taste of what’s to come: sudden federal takeovers of cities across America.
More: Black elected officials and mayors of cities that didn’t support Trump are worried their areas could be next.
White House calls for a 'comprehensive review' of eight Smithsonian museums, NPR
The Trump administration is carrying out what it calls “a comprehensive internal review” of the Smithsonian’s museum exhibits ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary, to bring the organization in line with the president’s vision.
Eight museums will be reviewed in the first phase, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Reminder: The Smithsonian is not part of the executive branch, but it has said it will work “constructively” with the Trump administration.
Related: My colleague Jen Bendery talked with staff inside the Smithsonian Institution about the “culture of fear” that has gripped the organization…
The Complexities of Portraying the Black Elite, From ‘The Gilded Age’ to Ralph Lauren, The New York Times
For the New York Times, Yola Mzizi explored the conversations about elitism and exclusion within the Black community amid the launch of the Polo Ralph Lauren for Oak Bluffs line, the HBO series “The Gilded Age,” and the MET’s “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition.
Related: “The Gilded Age” is at its best when Black prosperity is central to the story, Salon critic Melanie McFarland explains.
The Black Wellness Library
has been gathering works that tell the story of Black wellbeing and now she has compiled them all in one place: The Library of Black Wellness.
It’s a living archive of the ways Black people have cared for ourselves and each other across generations. Inside, you will find books, essays, research, podcasts and more centered on rest, resistance, joy, and care. And in these current times, we need wellness more than ever. Please support Julia!
What’s In The News
Across America
Alabama: Carletta Davis decided to run for mayor in Prichard after federal environmental justice initiatives vanished…
California: This week marked the 60th anniversary of the Watts Rebellion of 1965, and the National Guard was called to the Los Angeles neighborhood…
District of Columbia: Washingtonians gathered at the Anacostia Community Museum for the Save Our Museum march and rally…
Illinois: A bill named after Sonya Massey, requiring stricter vetting before hiring of law enforcement officers statewide, has been signed into law…
Louisiana: Polo Silk has one of New Orleans' biggest pre-Katrina photography archives. For Capital B, Adam Mahoney talked with the photographer about his mission to "bless" residents with his photos....
Michigan: Detroit's Jessica Care Moore is one of 23 poets nationwide awarded a 2025 Poet Laureate Fellowship. She plans to use her winnings to empower the community…
New York: Despite attendance decline and gentrification, Brooklyn’s Black church choirs are still singing…
Ohio: The state requires buses for private school kids. Public school students have to find their own ride…
Oklahoma: A campaign launched this week to raise funds for a home and full-time care for Mother Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre…
Oregon: Portland City Council has approved a $3.75 million settlement with the family of Immanueal Clark, an unarmed Black man shot and killed by police in 2022…
South Carolina: A group of singers travels across the country singing Gullah spirituals that were passed down to them in an attempt to preserve their Gullah Geechee culture…
Tennessee: Boxtown, a predominantly Black community in Memphis, is battling 35 unpermitted temporary gas turbines at Elon Musk’s massive data center that residents say are exacerbating health issues…
What’s Happening
I had a great time in Cleveland this past weekend for the National Association of Black Journalists’ 50th anniversary convention. ICYMI: A new board of directors was elected, including Errin Haines, the new president of the organization. I’m also heartened by all of the young journalists I’ve met who are committed to ensuring the next 50 years of journalism are bright. Listen to what they had to say…
Pastor Jamal Bryant is leading the charge in urging Black shoppers to avoid Target stores due to the corporation’s reversal on DEI policies: “We will break any company that doesn't honor our dignity while they are trying to take our dollar”...
The African American Policy Forum hosted a panel on Martha's Vineyard with several Black attorneys general — including Massachusetts AG Andrea Joy Campbell, Minnesota AG Keith Ellison and New York AG Letitia James — about the assault on racial justice happening in this moment...
As the Trump administration continues its campaign against “woke” science, the National Institutes of Health has shuttered studies and programs focused on the gaps between racial and socioeconomic groups…
For The Guardian, Adria Walker examined the rich history behind the centuries-long tradition of Black family reunions…
Kimbriell Kelly is set to become the Chicago Sun-Times' first Black editor-in-chief...
Pinky Cole, founder of Slutty Vegan, is opening up about the time in which she lost control of her company—and then fought to win it back…
The official portrait of Barack Obama has been moved to a “decidedly less prominent position in the White House,” CNN reports…
Cities are hoping to attract more police officers by cutting education requirements…
The Mellon Foundation has awarded Southern Illinois University Edwardsville a $1.6 million grant in support of “a digital public knowledge project on African American literary studies”...
Entertainment News
The nation's longest-running Black rodeo believes it has seen a boost thanks to the excitement surrounding Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” country album…
"Sinners" star and Blues legend Buddy Guy is celebrating his 89th birthday by hitting No. 1 on Billboard's Blues albums chart…
The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts announced a new exhibition highlighting the history of Black musical theater…
I enjoyed three profiles this week: “Severance” star Tramell Tillman in Variety, the legendary Debbie Allen in Variety and comedy royalty Marlon Wayans in Esquire…
Andscape: An oral history of Jeezy’s legendary ‘Snowman’ T-shirt that was banned in schools…
Denzel Washington told Variety that no acting decision he makes in his career has to do with the Oscars: “I don’t care about that kind of stuff.”... Washington and his longtime friend, Spike Lee, spoke to Vanity Fair about their bond…
Hammer and Hope conducted two stellar interviews with two stars, NPR Tiny Desk producer Bobby Carter and Singer Durand Bernarr…
Pluto TV has launched a dedicated “Beyond the Gates” channel for fans to watch the soap opera around the clock…
Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival founders Stephanie Tavares-Rance and Floyd Rance talked with Variety about how they've been able to thrive despite companies choosing to roll back DEI initiatives...
As Drake's battle with Universal Music Group shifts into discovery, the rapper is looking to turn up the heat by requesting the label’s contract with Kendrick Lamar and any evidence of alleged domestic violence… talked about how these moves aren’t “hip-hop,” but Drake’s fans don’t seem to care…
Venus Williams is coming back to Grand Slam tennis at the U.S. Open, making her the oldest entrant since 1981…
The NFL can be put on trial over civil claims that Black coaches face discrimination, a court ruled…
The five-part docuseries, “Magic City: An American Fantasy," premieres tonight (August 15) on STARZ. Watch the trailer here…
Obituaries
Danielle Spencer, 'What’s Happening!!' star, has died
Danielle Spencer, best known for her role as Roger “Raj” Thomas’ younger sister, Deadra “Dee” Thomas, on the hit 1970s TV series "What's Happening!!,” has died. She was 60.
Ronnie Burns and Jayden Flemming, two recent FAMU graduates and fraternity brothers, were killed by an alleged drunk driver. They were 22 years old…
James E. Silcott, a famed architect and philanthropist, has died. He was 95...
Don’t Miss
Can you beat my time on Black Crossword? 2 minutes, 29 seconds…
If you’re in New York City, the Music Nerds are hosting a collectors’ swap this Sunday in Brooklyn. Here are the details…
Filmmakers: Students can submit a film about HBCUs for the 2nd annual HBCU Film Festival at Emory University in the spring of 2026. Apparently, HBCU alumni will also be allowed to submit next year…
MahoganyBooks is set to host Allen Iverson in October as he celebrates the launch of his new memoir, “Misunderstood”....