President Obama Delivers a Statement on the Passing of Nelson Mandela | The White House

President Obama Delivers a Statement on the Passing of Nelson Mandela | The White House

Listen to the President's tribute to the late, great Nelson Mandela.  May we all be moved by the spirit and reality of Mandela's life he committed to love, justice, boldness, forgiveness and action.

Pay Attention to The Health Care Issue

Why are the insurance company folks unhappy? 

Check this out: Daily Kos: Health insurers are not happy

It seems to me insurers could reinstate polities for those of us who had them already.  The original idea behind ACA was to get uninsured folks insured.  The companies should have worked harder to convince Secretary of HHS not to shift on the matter in the first place. But they knew it would be a money maker for them. 

But make sure you do some investigating on your own.  I completed an on-line inquiry about health plans while waiting to meet with a representative from a major provider in FL.  While waiting to meet, I received two calls from other providers offering information on policies I could consider. Within the next two weeks I must have received a half dozen more calls form different  providers all with competitive plans - many better than my current company has offered as a replacement to my current plan.  SO.....you need not work through the exchanges or your old company to get new coverage.

California Foundation Supports Young Boys and Men of Color

A California health care foundation wants to make sure the sate remains competitive in the future by ensuring all citizens become productive citizens.  This includes citizens of color, males in particular!  Check out the article below.

Foundation launches $50-million project to support minority boys - latimes.com

Way to go California!

GOP Message and the Black Community: It Ain't Real!

It's funny how mostly Black Republicans wax on and on about how the Republican Party is right for Blacks. I wonder if these Black Republicans wonder why that is?

Also, Republicans have no problem targeting Hispanics, who, historically have voted Democratic, albeit at lower percentages than Blacks. And remember, they seek the Hispanic vote even in the face of their Party's anti-Hispanic practices on immigration, the "dreamers", English as the official language, etc. But as Ms. Ross intimates, they won't openly unashamedly recruit Blacks - really!!??

It seems clear to me the Republicans will only actively seek out voters they value. They say they believe in "working hard for what you want". Well, if that's the measure, they surely don't want the Black vote.

I believe Ms. Ross does.  But I think she may not have the active support to do the outreach needed to change the mix.

Phillip W. Miner
Obama Family Network of Jacksonville, FL (OFN-Jax)

Do Your Research Before Saying Yes to Any College

Students and parents beware!

There are still colleges out there that don't serve the best interest of their paying students, regardless of color..  To safe guard against being cheated out of money and a quality education, students and families must do research on schools before signing on the dotted line.  If not, it could cost you big time, even if courts do step up to help you recover.

In a recent court decision, students in Virginia get needed help.

OFN-Jax is committed to supporting positive practices in education that help advance the learning and success of Black students and others to ensure their future success. One way to accomplish that, is to keep you informed of news you can use.

Phillip W. Miner
Obama Family Network of Jacksonville, FL (OFN-Jax)

Class action aimed at Va. college settled for $5m | Black Politics on the Web

Education, Still the Key to Success for Communities of Color

Education remains a critical pathway to future success for communities of color. 

Thanks to partnerships between educational institutions and organizations like the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and United Health Foundation, students of color can pursue their careers in high need areas.  Let's support any and all such partnerships whenever and wherever possible.  It helps these deserving students, our communities and ultimately it support the future competitiveness of America in the challenging global environment.

Phillip W. Miner
Obama Family Network of Jacksonville, FL (OFN-Jax)

Black Caucus Leader: We Disagree With Presidents, Even Obama : It's All Politics : NPR

People have long thought all Blacks support one another.  They especially believe we all, always support and agree with this President. However, the facts are that many of us, including the Congressional Black Caucus CBC), have a long history of disagreeing with one another and this President as well as past Presidents.

Check out what the current leader of  the CBC has to say about this topic.

Black Caucus Leader: We Disagree With Presidents, Even Obama : It's All Politics : NPR

African American Income, Education Growing Faster Than Expected

African American Income, Education Growing Faster Than Expected: With an estimated $1 billion in buying power, African-American consumers are some of the most sought after in business. We must continue to grow our wealth and protect it in such a way as to be able to pass it along to our heirs in the future.  We must also do a better job at building opportunities for others in or community to benefit from our individual and collective successes.

Black Teen Birth Rate Falls 60 percent in 10 Years

Black Teen Birth Rate Falls 60 percent in 10 Years

Much done much to do!  Together we in the Black community can lower this rate even more.  We must find the tools to keep our youth from becoming parents before they reach adulthood or even graduate from high school.  I know we can make it happen!

OFN-Jax Supports Florida State Democratic Black Caucus Conference

OFN- Jax supports many local area Democratic organizations.  Among them is the Duval County Democratic Black Caucus a chapter of the State organization. Read about their upcoming state-wide conference later this month in Orlando, FL.

Hope to see you in Orlando!

Transcript: State of the Union 2013

President Obama hit a home run on Tuesday night!  Check it out here:

 Transcript: State of the Union 2013 prepared remarks (full text) | Black Politics on the Web

Lean Forward!

Details of the Fiscal Cliff Tax Deal | Tax Foundation Report

One pass at what happened in the fiscal cliff deal: Details of the Fiscal Cliff Tax Deal | Tax Foundation.

It seems the Congress ought be able to continue building on a path that combines 'revenue and cuts' strategy to get the American economy back on track!

A coming together of American voters is needed to insist our Congress to the same.

Congress OKs cliff deal, signaling future fights

Although, not a perfect deal....it beats the alternative!  Check out the details here: Congress OKs cliff deal, signaling future fights | Black Politics on the Web