by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 3, 2024

Kamala Harris Makes Debut On ‘Saturday Night Live’ In Cold Open Skit With Maya Rudolph

Harris has now joined the list of Presidential hopefuls who appeared on the show.

Kamala Harris has ended the “drama-la” with her “Saturday Night Live” debut. The vice president appeared in the Nov. 2 episode’s cold open skit with Maya Rudolph.

Harris confirmed rumors that she would appear on the show in the last episode ahead of Election Day. In the skit, Rudolph, who regularly plays the politician, wishes for someone who has “been in her shoes” to talk to. The Democratic nominee then appeared on the screen, garnering much applause from the audience.

“I’m just here to remind you, you got this,” Harris began. “Because you can do something your opponent cannot do: You can open doors.”

According to NBC News, Harris was referencing Trump, as the GOP nominee stumbled while opening a garbage truck door during a campaign stop. Following the initial jab at her opponent, the real and fictional Harris began to make rhymes with her first name. Harris often refers to herself as “Momala,” prompting others to add an “-ala” to the end of other words.

“Take my palm-ala,” said Rudolph. “The American people want to stop the chaos.”

Harris responded, “And end the dram-ala.”

The presidential hopeful also asked if she really laughed as depicted in Rudolph’s impression of her.

“I don’t really laugh like that, do I?” the politician inquired.

However, Rudolph stated otherwise, answering “a little bit.”

The two continued, ending wordplay by saying, “Keep calm-ala, and carry on-ala.”

To end the scene, Harris poked fun at her mission to win Pennsylvania. When Rudolph said she intended to vote for “us,” Harris asked if there was “any chance” she was registered in the battleground state. While Rudolph was not, the politician shared that it was “worth a shot” before introducing the show with the comedian.

Harris has now joined a growing tradition of presidential hopefuls appearing on the comedy variety show while on the campaign trail. She took a quick break from her stops in other battleground states, such as Georgia, to head to New York and join SNL for the evening.

Kemi Badenoch Becomes First Black Woman To Lead UK’s Conservative Party

by Daniel Johnson

November 3, 2024

Kemi Badenoch Becomes First Black Woman To Lead UK’s Conservative Party

Badenoch has been an ardent critic of 'wokeness' and identity politics.

Kemi Badenoch, an often controversial figure in British politics, has become the first Black woman to lead the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party after she won the party’s election against Robert Jenrich.

According to The New York Times, Badenoch is expected to move the party farther to the right and closer in ideology to its American cousins, the Republican Party. Although she toned down some of her rhetoric, she has in the past been an ardent critic of “wokeness” and identity politics.

Badenoch told a group of Conservative Party leaders after her win that representing the party as its leader was the honor of her life.

“It is the most enormous honor to be elected to this role, to lead the party that I love, the party that has given me so much,” Badenoch said, smiling after she was announced the winner of the election between herself and Jenrich. “I hope that I will be able to repay that debt.”

Badenoch only committed to a vow to “reset our politics and our thinking” and to be “honest about the fact that we made mistakes,” but did not give any policy proposals, which she was cagey about during her run for the position.

According to experts on the Conservative Party, this is highly unusual.

According to Tim Bale, a professor of politics and an expert on the Conservative Party at Queen Mary University of London, “It’s quite unusual to go into a leadership contest eschewing the idea that you need to put together policies for the party.”

Bale also described Badenoch as a “thinking man’s Thatcherite cultural warrior,” which is not a compliment at all, given Margaret Thatcher’s propensity to use terminology like “the enemy within” to refer to striking coal miners.

According to Dorian Lynskey, the author of 33 Revolutions Per Minute: A History of Protest Songs, “She (Thatcher) was such an oppositional figure, singling out certain enemies, for example, the Argentine junta, unions, travelers, people on benefits, the left wing in general. She was unflinching and vicious in her attacks on them.”

Lynskey continued, “There was a sense she was conducting a war on certain sections of society. She referred to the miners as ‘the enemy within.’ This just was not the way politicians talk about their citizens. (UK’s Prime Minister in 2013) David Cameron does not do that; Tories before Thatcher did not do that. That aspect enraged people because they felt she was treating them with rhetorical and political violence. That encouraged them to respond with their own violence.”

Despite being an immigrant herself, Badenoch has emphasized her Nigerian heritage and often references her humble beginnings, describing experiences of growing up “somewhere where the lights didn’t come on, where we ran out of fuel.” However, she has also been a vocal proponent of reducing immigration levels in England.

Badenoch is also a Brexiteer, popularized by a figure often described as Britain’s Donald Trump, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. She rose rapidly within his administration and subsequently within the Conservative Party.

Her ascent has some worried that she could set back the causes of racial justice and equality in England due to her alignment with far-right views.

According to Sunder Katwala, director of the research institute British Future, “The question on the left is: Is this a cynical performative device by the right to champion an anti-woke, Black, right-wing politician to challenge antiracist policies, and therefore will it have regressive consequences?”

Civil Rights Hall of Fame, Mississippi, Jackson, Mayor Lumumba

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 3, 2024

Jackson, Mississippi, Mayor Lumumba Inducted Into National Civil Rights Hall Of Fame

Lumumba received the recognition despite undergoing scrutiny for his alleged involvement in a bribery scandal.

Chokwe Antar Lumumba, the mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, has been inducted into the National Civil Rights Hall of Fame.

The organization traveled to the Southern city on Nov. 2 to officially induct the elected official. At the ceremony, it presented Mayor Lumumba with a Gold Blazer on behalf of the National Civil Rights Library.

According to WLBT, the Mayor was awarded this distinction for his efforts toward social justice organizations. Lumumba was the son of the renowned radical Black activist Chowke Lumumba. As a revolutionary attorney, the elder Lumumba represented other Black activists, such as Black Liberation Army member Assata Shakur, and worked as a legal advocate for those facing legal action for acts of resistance. He later became mayor of Jackson in 2013 until his death a year later.

The junior Lumumba followed his father’s legacy by becoming mayor in 2017. He aimed to continue on his father’s political promises of participatory democracy and cooperative economics. As the youngest mayor in Jackson’s history, he launched an infrastructure improvement initiative to improve the city’s water.

According to the official website, his mayoral efforts led to wider access to clean water throughout Jackson. Moreover, he established the first policy in the state to release the names of officers involved in shootings.

Despite still intending to seek reelection in 2025, Lumumba has faced criticism for his alleged involvement in a bribery scandal while in office. The scandal has led two people, including former City Councilwoman Angelique Lee, to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery.

Lee stepped down from her elected position hours before her federal indictment. She was accused of accepting bribes from two federal agents disguised as real estate developers, who offered the bribes to two elected officials.

Lumumba has maintained his innocence through the political controversy.

“I have never conspired with anyone to commit a crime,” stated Lumumba, as reported by the Clarion Ledger. “That’s the basis of it and that’s all that I will share. There may come a time and place where I will expound on that at an appropriate moment, but at this point in time that’s all I have to represent.”

shark tank, Black Entrepreneurs Day, Daymond, John, deal, stalker, grants, Black entrepreneurs

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 3, 2024

Daymond John Brings Black Entrepreneurs Day To Atlanta: $1M In Grants, Star Power From Kelly Rowland And 2Chainz

Daymond John shares what he has planned for the 5th annual Black Entrepreneurs Day in Atlanta.

Daymond John will mark the fifth anniversary of Black Entrepreneurs Day in Atlanta for the first time.

On Nov. 22, John’s signature Black Entrepreneurs Day (BED) will be taking over Atlanta’s historic Fox Theater for its celebration of Black Excellence and Opportunity. This year’s event is free for all to attend, and it includes branded activations that allow attendees to elevate their business and brand for the foreseeable future.

From insightful discussions with an inspiring lineup of guests to the NAACP Small Business Powershift Grant Program—which will award over $1 million in grants to more than 40 Black-owned businesses—Black Entrepreneurs Day offers everything a Black business owner needs to elevate their enterprise to the next level. This year’s event is a special one for John; in addition to hosting BED in Atlanta for the first time, the event will be live for all to enjoy.

“We’re doing it live this year, we’re always trying to enhance what we have,” John tells BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“I think that we also have added another element to it called the “Entrepreneur Plaza,” which, if you want to come earlier, you can come and a company like Constant Contact is taking headshots. Hilton for Business, Chase, Chase Wealth Management is there, U.S. Navy. So many different things are added to it.”

It’s set to be a star-studded event with special appearances from Grammy-winning artist and philanthropist Kelly Rowland, the iconic entertainer Flavor Flav, influential media personality Charlamagne tha God, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles (presented by J.P. Morgan Wealth Management), financial educators Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings from “Earn Your Leisure,” and a live performance by Atlanta’s own multiplatinum rapper 2Chainz presented by Raising Cane’s.

Under the NAACP Small Business Powershift Grant Program, entrepreneurs can apply for the Powershift Grant and become one of 40 businesses awarded a share of over $1 million in grants. This year, partners, including JPMorgan Chase, Hilton, T-Mobile for Business, and Constant Contact, will contribute a combined total of $100,000 in grants, with each individual grant valued at $25,000.

“We’re very passionate about what we do,” John says of the Black community. “I think that with the democratizing of the retail space with things like AI and social media, we can empower ourselves now. Support ourselves and support each other.”

Given the strong sponsorship support for BED 2024, John sees it as clear evidence that major corporations recognize the value of investing in the Black community, even in the face of opposition from anti-DEI efforts.

“There’s a lot of different other cultures who love to support us too. They love our music, they love our food, they love everything about us, and they just want to know how can they support us,” John notes.

“I think that if we look at that side of the aspect of it, I mean, we can never profit or thrive over the shortcoming, but we can always find these gems and these ways to grow off of what we are. And we’re a resilient people that everybody loves.”

Launched in 2020 to address the community’s challenges following events surrounding George Floyd, Black Entrepreneurs Day was established to shift the focus from hardship to empowerment. Committed to uplifting Black entrepreneurs, the event seeks to educate and inspire through conversations with iconic Black leaders and celebrity guests, features star-studded musical performances, and offers crucial financial support through the NAACP Powershift Grant program.

Tickets for Black Entrepreneurs Day 2024 are free and available for registration at BlackEntrepreneursDay.com now. Press play to learn more about this year’s event.

Mike Tyson, Jake Paul, Boxing, professional record, July 20, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations

by Daniel Johnson

November 3, 2024

Ultimate Mike Tyson-Jake Paul Boxing Match ‘Experience’ Will Run You $2M

The long-awaited fight will be broadcast live on Netflix on Nov. 15.

If you want the ultimate MVP experience for the upcoming fight between Jake Paul and Hall of Fame boxer Mike Tyson, you will need to shell out $2 million to get it.

According to ESPN, Elevate designed the exclusive premium package dubbed the “MVP Owner’s Experience” to seat two people in a private suite less than six feet from ringside.

According to the consulting firm, it is the closest seating to the ring ever approved by Texas’ boxing regulators and features premium leather seats.

The package includes a pre-fight locker room visit with Paul and Tyson, a chance to appear onstage at the pre-fight weigh-in, autographed gloves from both boxers, a security detail, and personal concierge service during fight week.

This is in addition to receiving four seats in the first two rows at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium in Arlington, which seats 80,000 people.

Elevate and Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, which he formed in 2021 with Nakisa Bidarian, joined forces to sell the MVP Owner’s Experience and other hospitality packages for the fight.

It remains to be seen if the fight itself will justify this particular price point. Tyson has previously indicated that he doesn’t see the fight going the distance unless he has to chase his quarry.

“If I don’t have to catch him, you can expect a Round 1 knockout,” Tyson said in an October news conference. “But I may have to catch him because I anticipate this guy running from me.”

Tyson also indicated that he has largely become a better person in retirement than he was as an active fighter.

“When I was fighting professionally, I was too stressed out,” Tyson said. “I never had a chance to relax or enjoy my championships because everything was coming at me. There were lawsuits and divorces. I never enjoyed myself as a human being. This is a moment in time when I can enjoy myself as a human being. I have better life skills now than I did while fighting.”

The fight will be broadcast live on Netflix on Nov. 15, and according to Front Office Sports, exists as part of the streaming giant’s $5 billion bet on streaming live sports, headlined by its deal with TKO, the parent company of WWE and TKO, that will see “Raw” (formerly “Monday Night Raw”) broadcast on Netflix but also picks up international rights for Netflix regarding “Smackdown,” “WrestleMania,” “SummerSlam,” and “Royal Rumble.”

schoolhouse, Williamsburg Bray School , Virginia

by Mary Spiller

November 3, 2024

Restoration Underway: Oldest Black Schoolhouse In America From 18th-Century To Open As Museum

The Williamsburg Bray School will open its doors to the public as a historical education site next spring.

The oldest surviving schoolhouse for Black children in the United States is set to open its doors as a historical site for the public in the spring of 2025. The Williamsburg Bray School in Virginia is being restored carefully by historians and construction crews, aiming to preserve the history of a building that educated hundreds of Black children, both enslaved and free, from 1760 to 1774. The schoolhouse is expected to open to the public in 2025.

Although restoration has been in the works for quite some time, the crews have finally finished restoring and furnishing a main room on the first floor and have moved on to the next one. Their work has revealed original flooring and walling from 1760 to 18th-century tool marks on some of the original planks and wood. The construction crew and restorers have also reported finding a fragment of a writing plate, letters written by people who attended the Williamsburg Bray School, and original ceramic work from the time.

Colonial Williamsburg’s historic tradespeople—including blacksmiths, weavers, and bookbinders—have been working to create replicas of items that would have originally furnished the school, all in preparation for its public opening. Using 18th-century techniques, they are crafting items like desks, chairs, and books to fill the Williamsburg Bray School.

Ahead of the public opening, the historic structure was formally dedicated, with several figures sharing insights into the building’s rich history.

Colonial Williamsburg’s Executive Director of Architectural Preservation, Matt Webster, told Smithsonian Magazine, “You’re walking on the floors they walked on in 1760. When you touch the bottom post on the stairs, the wear, the rounded edges, that’s years of bumping and touching. Those types of things are all over the buildings.”

Nicole Brown, an American Studies scholar at William & Mary, added, “The opening of the building is deeply significant, but the work does not stop when the building opens.

According to Smithsonian Magazine, a London-based charity opened the Williamsburg Bray School in 1760 at the recommendation of founding father Benjamin Franklin. During the school’s 14 years of operation, a white woman named Ann Wager acted as the only teacher in the building. Wager reportedly taught around 400 students aged 3 and 10, and roughly 90% of the children were still enslaved at the time of their schooling. Wager taught the kids to read and write, sew, and mend clothes with a faith-based curriculum that provided literacy to many enslaved people who were barred access to education before Williamsburg Bray School.

RELATED CONTENT: Florida Colored School Gets Historic Marker

by Mitti Hicks

November 3, 2024

HUD Unveils $512M Plan To Combat Youth Homelessness In Major Cities

The money will be awarded to 14 communities through HUD's Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program.

An estimated 4.2 million youth and young adults experience homelessness in the United States each year. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is trying to change that. HUD just announced funding to tackle youth homelessness housing nationwide.

HUD has awarded $72 million to 14 communities, including five rural jurisdictions, through its Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP). The funding will support several initiatives related to youth homelessness. HUD officials say top priorities include rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, and host homes.

The latest round of funding is part of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala’s priority to tackle the nation’s homelessness crisis. The Biden-Harris administration is prioritizing new resources and programs to help communities quickly reconnect people experiencing homelessness to housing.

“Young people across our country deserve a stable home and a supportive community,” said HUD Agency Head Adrianne Todman in a HUD press release. “We are leading the charge in partnering with communities, our federal partners, and youth who have experienced homelessness to increase the housing supply for those among the most vulnerable in our communities and make significant strides in the fight to prevent and end youth homelessness.”

Communities in Chicago, Southern and Central California, Las Vegas, and Des Moines, Iowa, will receive the most funding for support. Youth experiencing homelessness will have access to rental assistance for affordable housing units. The funding will also support wrap-around services to improve youth’s overall health and wellness. It will also help their ability to obtain and maintain stable housing.

According to HUD, awardees are uniquely positioned to design solutions that match the needs of their respective communities. Special attention is paid to creating equitable strategies to assist vulnerable homeless youths, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and differently-abled persons.

“I’m proud to share that this is the eighth round of YHDP funding to be awarded,” said Marion McFadden, principal deputy assistant secretary for Community Planning and Development. “Including these awards, to date, HUD has awarded YHDP funding to 124 communities, representing a $512 million investment to prevent and end youth homelessness and pave the way to ensure that everyone has access to safe, stable housing.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 3, 2024

Chicago Couple Funding Billboards In Swing States To Encourage Black Men To Vote

Gary and Denise Gardner have invested $500,000 to launch the 'We Gotta Vote' billboard campaign.

A Chicago couple launched a billboard initiative in response to concerns about potential low voter turnout among Black men on Election Day.

Gary and Denise Gardner have invested $500,000 to launch the “We Gotta Vote” billboard campaign, WTTW reports. Inspired by Spike Lee’s film “She’s Gotta Have It,” the campaign has strategically placed billboards in key swing states such as Nebraska, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Ohio, aiming to engage undecided voters.

“It sounded suspect to me,” Gary said of murmurings about low voter turnout among Black men. “I run into young Black men every day here in Chicago. So we put together a comprehensive marketing campaign.”

“I think the billboard campaign was a great one, because it not only reached about 350,000 men in total, but more importantly, it reached their families.”

The couple drew on their previous experience working on campaigns for former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington, former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun, and former President Barack Obama to help boost voter turnout. The three billboard designs feature a different Black man since there’s “no one image that encompasses young Black men,” Gardner said.

Denise added the phrase “We Can’t Go Back” to the “We Gotta Vote” campaign, and while the couple isn’t telling voters who to cast their ballot for, the couple has put their support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.

“She’s transcended because of her experience being in state government, in federal government, being a vice president,” Gardner said. “And she’s transcended race or gender. She doesn’t talk about her race or gender. She talks about being a president because she’s been elevated to that position.”

New polling conducted by the NAACP Oct. 11-17 shows approximately 20% of younger Black men indicate their support for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. While support for Trump has declined since August, this trend remains a concern for the Harris campaign as she depends on robust turnout from Black men in closely contested swing state races and has been actively working to address this issue.

Howard University, homecoming, Centennial

by Sidnee Michelle Douyon

November 2, 2024

Go Bison! Howard University Celebrates Centennial Homecoming

Howard's annual homecoming celebration is a staple event for not only current college students and alumni.

As a distinguished alumna of Howard University, Vice President Kamala Harris stands on the precipice of the 2024 presidential election, gaining the university unprecedented attention. Recognized as the top HBCU by Forbes, Howard continues its legacy of excellence and tradition. Its annual homecoming celebration is a hallmark event that resonates deeply with students and alumni, becoming a cultural staple. This year’s took place Oct. 13-20.

The first official homecoming event occurred in 1924, with the university’s alums organizing it to reconnect with their alma mater. This event marked a significant shift in how Howard engaged with its graduates, fostering a sense of belonging and pride among alums and current students.

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Over the decades, homecoming has evolved into a weeklong celebration featuring various events, including parades, fundraisers, shows, parties, and the highly-anticipated football game. The event draws thousands of attendees from across the country and attracts not only alums but also celebrities and dignitaries, showcasing the university’s influence in the African American community and broader society.

Today, Howard’s homecoming is renowned for its vibrant atmosphere. It features performances by famous artists, a grand parade, and various social events that emphasize the university’s legacy and ongoing impact. From “Bison For Kamala” events to performances from Doug E. Fresh, Coco Jones, DJ D-Nice, and more, the campus was buzzing with pride and excitement.

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As the centennial celebration commenced, top brands like Jordan, Fenty, Sunglass Hut, Procter & Gamble, Pronghorn Co., Gran Coramino, and Hilton held engaging activities on and off campus.

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BLACK ENTERPRISE headed to Howard University and spoke to reps from Hilton, which hosted a large group of alumni, and the “Homecoming At The Mecca Team,” which planned most of the weekend’s headlining events.

Bonnie Campagnuolo, brand leader of Embassy Suites by Hilton, spoke to BE about the historic weekend.

“Community events like Howard University’s Homecoming are invaluable opportunities for people from across the country to gather and reconnect, said Campagnuolo. “At Embassy Suites, we strive to provide an upscale, approachable environment with welcoming spaces for people to meet and socialize as well as a spacious and comfortable home base for guests to rest, refuel and refresh.”

The “Homecoming At The Mecca” team is comprised of alumni Brandon Banks, Trey Poindexter, Duclas Charles, Major Dobbins, Steve Owens, Brandon Palm, Khalil Ajiborode, and Ricardo Jones, who also spoke with BE about their pledge to plan homecoming experiences for students and alumni.

Black Men XCEL 2024 speaker Duclas Charles remarked, “We’ve (The Team at Homecoming at the Mecca) been a part of creating memories for our friends since our various eras in undergrad, and it’s always fulfilling to create spaces authentically curated for Bison, by Bison bringing friends together again, allowing them to relive those days that make Howard U the Mecca and our favorite place on earth.”

Brandon Banks explained the significance of Howard University’s highly anticipated and attended events.

“As a Howard University alum and MBA graduate, my connection to the university runs deep. Planning experiences for students and fellow alumni is more than just an event for me but a way to nurture the sense of community that Howard embodies. Seeing 3,000 alumni create new memories at the National Museum of African American History and Culture is a memory I hold dear to my heart and will cherish forever,” he said.

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As the weekend concluded, unforgettable moments went down in Howard’s history, such as when supermodel Anok Yai returned to the campus where she was discovered in 2017. The “Back The Yard” Homecoming giving challenge, which supports student scholarships, made the weekend one to remember.

After 100 years, Howard University Homecoming continues to bring everyone back home for one of the biggest and most popular HBCU homecomings.

Chicago, Mayor, Brandon Johnson, school board president, resigns

by Mary Spiller

November 2, 2024

Chicago School Board President Resigns After ‘Deeply Disturbing’ Social Media Posts Surface

Mayor Brandon Johnson called Rev. Mitchell Johnson’s post sexist, antisemitic, and conspiratorial.

Rev. Mitchell Ikenna Johnson, the recently appointed head of Chicago’s school board, resigned from his position on Oct. 31. According to reports, he was allegedly exposed for having made antisemitic, sexist, and 9-11 conspiracy posts on his social media accounts.

Rev.

Johnson, president of the Chicago Board of Education for just seven days before the incident, resigned immediately. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson requested Johnson take action after seeing the statements from his social media “that were not only hurtful but deeply disturbing.”

The mayor said in a press release, “I want to be clear: Antisemitic, misogynistic, and conspiratorial statements are unacceptable.” The referenced social media posts from Mitchell Johnson’s accounts come from past months. As reported by CNN, they were so disruptive that along with Mayor Brandon Johnson calling for Mitchell’s resignation, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the majority of the Chicago city council pushed for his resignation.

One of the posts in question includes a photo of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that Rev. Johnson reposted in January. The caption allegedly read, “3,000 experts agree: 9/11 really was an inside job. Facts!!”

Rev. Johnson also shared sexist views on his social media when he reposted a picture on his personal Facebook account that was overlaid with the message: “When a man earns money he dreams of giving his family and wife the best. But when a woman earns money she feels she does not need her man and her family. Sounds harsh but it’s reality.” He captioned the post in May, “Sad Facts.”

In another post that Chicago Council members are calling antisemitic, a video was posted of a Max Blumenthal podcast episode where a fan asked if Hamas began the Israel-Palestine conflict with their Oct. 7 attack last year. In the video, Blumenthal states that Israel initiated the war in 1948.

Rev. Johnson captioned the post, “If you allow ignorance to be your guide, injustice will eventually be at your front door. We should all support a free and independent Palestinian State.”

Mayor Johnson appointed Mitchell Johnson as the board’s president, which prompted him to act swiftly after the social media posts were revealed. Mitchell Johnson’s comments on the Israel-Palestine conflict ignited debate, coinciding with the shooting of a Jewish man in a hate crime while walking to a Chicago synagogue recently.

“We want every single child in the city of Chicago to feel protected and loved, and particularly right now our Jewish community,” the mayor said.

City council members called for Mitchell Johnson to step down in a letter written by 50th Ward Alderman Debra Silverstein and signed by other council members. Silverstein wrote, “We are deeply troubled by the antisemitic and pro-Hamas comments made by Rev. Mitchell L Ikenna Johnson. The thousands of Jewish families who send their kids to Chicago Public Schools deserve representation who values them and does not express hate toward the Jewish community.”

Mitchell Johnson has since apologized for his comments on social media.