THE BLACK MEDIA AUTHORITY
Volume 133 No. 49
JULY 5, 2025 - JULY 11, 2025
AFRO.COM • $2.00
AP Photo
Organizers say Independence Day weekend celebrations are a fitting moment to highlight what they see as threats to American democracy. The 47th president’s use of executive orders to target immigrants, nix inclusion, diversity and equity efforts and dismantle federal agencies have sparked months of nationwide protests since Inauguration Day.
‘Free America Weekend’ ignites wave of protests nationwide By Stacy M. Brown A sprawling coalition of activists transformed July 4 into a day of protest and civic action, as demonstrators in all 50 states rallied against President Donald Trump’s
second-term agenda. Billed as “Free America Weekend,” the effort was the latest in a string of large-scale demonstrations, following June’s “No Kings Day” protests that drew crowds nationwide to reject what organizers described as Trump’s push toward authoritarian rule.
The nationwide protests were part of the 50501 Movement—named for the goal of holding 50 protests in 50 states on the same day. The movement emerged in late 2024 through grassroots organizing and quickly gained momentum across social media platforms such as Instagram and Reddit. Organizers say the Fourth of July
was a fitting moment to highlight what they have seen as threats to American democracy, pointing to Trump’s executive orders targeting immigrants, efforts to dismantle federal agencies and the broader influence of Project 2025, Continued on A2
Rev. Jamal Bryant’s corporate challenge earns top Black Press honor By Stacy M. Brown
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afro.com
Rev. Dr. Jamal H. Bryant receives NNPA’s 2025 Newsmaker of the Year Award for leading a bold economic protest against Target’s retreat from equity and diversity commitments.
At the annual convention of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), held under the theme “The Black Press: Engaging Black America—Empowerment, Justice and Prosperity,” Rev. Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant received the NNPA’s prestigious 2025 Newsmaker of the Year Award. Bryant was honored during a ceremony on June 27 where the organization recognized Bryant’s bold leadership in confronting corporate America’s retreat from equity, diversion and inclusion (DEI), most notably through his ongoing boycott of Target.
The NNPA is the trade association representing more than 200 African American-owned newspapers and media companies that comprise the 198-year-old Black Press of America. Bryant, the senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in metro Atlanta, launched a 40-day fast—aligned with Lent—as an economic protest against Target after the company announced in January it would end its DEI initiatives and cancel a $2 billion pledge it made in 2020 to support Black-owned businesses following the murder of George Floyd. “After the murder of George Floyd, [Target] made a $2 billion
commitment to invest in Black businesses,” Bryant said during an earlier appearance on the Black Press’ Let It Be Known news program. “That commitment was due in December 2025. When they pulled out of the DEI agreement in January, they also canceled that $2 billion commitment.” Target has told Black Press USA that it has exceeded its commitments made after Floyd’s death. However, Bryant cited the $12 million spent daily by Black consumers at Target as a driving reason to focus the protest on the retailer. Within just one week of launching the petition at targetfast.org, 50,000 people had signed on. “This is just
phase one,” he said. “Amazon and others come right after. America has shown us time and time again: if it doesn’t make dollars, it doesn’t make sense.” Beyond the restoration of DEI programs, Bryant has called on Target to invest $250 million in Blackowned banks to help scale Black businesses and to partner with HBCUs located near the company’s 10 distribution centers. “White women are the number one beneficiaries of DEI,” he said. “What I am asking for is a quarter of a billion dollars to be invested in Black banks so that our Black businesses can scale.” Continued on A2
DELTAS ON THE FAIRWAY:
Celebrating the legacy of Helen Webb Harris By Andrea Stevens AFRO Staff Writer astevens@afro.com Trailblazing educator, civic leader and sports pioneer Helen Webb Harris will be recognized during the Deltas on the Fairway National Golf Tournament on July 8 at the University of Maryland Golf Course. The tournament, which kicks off at 9 a.m., serves as one of the official opening events of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s 57th National Convention. Elsie Cooke-Holmes, international president, and chair of the board of directors of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., reflected on the organization’s rich legacy and the importance of its upcoming national gathering. “Washington, D.C. is the perfect backdrop for this year’s
convention,” said Cooke-Holmes. “It is a true homecoming as we travel to the birthplace of our sorority in 1913 on Howard University’s campus, the place where we held our first national convention in 1919.” “In the spirit of our 22 courageous, trailblazing founders, we are proud to honor Helen Webb Harris at this year’s Deltas on the Fairways National Golf Fundraising Tournament,” continued Cooke-Holmes. “Her leadership, scholarship and advocacy opened doors in academics and athletics, and the funds that we raise will help us to invest in programs and initiatives to support the next generation of changemakers.” Debra Bunkley, chair of corporate partnerships for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. emphasized the value of the signature event, which will help kick off the convention. “Deltas on the Fairway is hosting
its second golf tournament and golf clinics as a part of the 57th National Convention. This is a great opportunity for networking, learning and more about golf and careers and fellowship to our members and partners,” Bunkley said. An alumna of Howard University’s Alpha Chapter, Harris was a lifelong member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Her four-decade teaching career in the classrooms of Washington, D.C. was marked by a passion for literature and history. “We chose to recognize our sorority sister Helen Webb Harris this year because it felt like the perfect convergence of history and purpose,” said Dr. Darryal McCullough, co-chair of Deltas on the Fairway National Golf Fundraising Tournament Member. Continued on A2
Copyright © 2025 by the Afro-American Company
Harris Photo courtesy of African American Registry
Helen Webb Harris, a pioneering educator and founder of the nation’s first African American women’s golf club, will be recognized at the Deltas on the Fairway National Golf Tournament on July 8 at the University of Maryland Golf Course. The event kicks off Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s 57th National Convention.