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Associated Press
3 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Renaming of military bases stirs debate over Confederate ties
In 2023, amid a national reckoning on issues of race in America, seven Army bases' names were changed because they honored Confederate leaders. Now, those same bases are reverting back to their original names, this time with different namesakes who share Confederate surnames — the Army found other service members with the same last names to honor. The move is stirring up conversation in and outside military circles. Skeptics wonder if the true intention is to undermine efforts to move away from Confederate associations, an issue that has long split people who favor preserving an aspect of southern heritage and those who want slavery-supporting revels stripped of valor. Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, a civil rights group, said the latest renaming is a 'difference without a distinction.' The wiping away of names that were given by the Biden administration, many of which honored service members who were women or minorities, is the latest move by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to align with Trump's purging of all programs, policies, books and social media mentions of references to diversity, equity and inclusion. Neither the Department of Defense nor the Department of the Army responded to emailed requests for comment. Confederate names return Federal law now bars the military from returning to honoring Confederates, but the move restores names know by generations of soldiers. Following the election of President Abraham Lincoln, who opposed the expansion of slavery, 11 southern states seceded from the United States to form the Confederacy, or the Confederate States of America, to preserve slavery an institution that enslaved millions of African Americans. Their secession led to the Civil War, which the Confederates ultimately lost in 1865. By restoring the old names with soldiers or figures who were not Confederates, 'they are trying to be slick,' Morial said. For example, Fort Bragg in North Carolina, which was changed to Fort Liberty by the Biden administration, was the first to have its original name restored, in June. The Army found another American service member with the same last name, a World War II soldier. Hegseth signed an order restoring the name in February. 'By instead invoking the name of World War II soldier Private Roland Bragg, Secretary Hegseth has not violated the letter of the law, but he has violated its spirit,' Senate Armed Services Committee ranking member Jack Reed, D-R.I., wrote in a statement opposing the defense secretary's 'cynical maneuver.' In March, Hegseth reversed the 2023 decision changing Fort Benning in Georgia to Fort Moore. The same name restoring process applied to the additional seven bases: Fort A.P. Hill, Fort Pickett and Fort Robert E. Lee in Virginia, Fort Gordon in Georgia, Fort Hood in Texas, Fort Polk in Louisiana and Fort Rucker in Alabama. Other name changes Last week, Republican Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry announced that he was restoring the name of the state's largest National Guard training site. In a social media post announcing the name, Landry wrote that in Louisiana, 'we honor courage, not cancel it.' Attached was what seemed to be an AI-generated image of a headstone with the word 'Wokeism' on it. 'Let this be a lesson that we should always give reverence to history and not be quick to so easily condemn or erase the dead, lest we and our times be judged arbitrary by future generations,' Landry wrote. Bases aren't the only military assets being renamed. In late June, Hegseth announced that the USNS Harvey Milk would be renamed after a World War II sailor who received the Medal of Honor, stripping the ship of the name of a killed gay rights activists who served during the Korean War. Critics express concern over Confederate associations and inefficiency Morial said there are other ways to recognize unsung heroes instead of returning a base to a name that has long been associated with Confederate leaders. 'No county on Earth would name its military based after people that tried to overthrow the government,' Morial said. 'So, why are people holding on to these names?' Stacy Rosenberg, associate teaching professor at Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College, said she is concerned with the inefficiency of renaming bases. She said the cost of changing signages across seven bases could be used for something else that might have more impact. There is no immediate cost estimate for changing all the signs at the bases. Rosenberg said it made sense to move away from Confederate heroes as namesakes but that the latest move seems like a way to appeal to Trump's political base. 'I think what we really need to consider is does whoever the base is named after have such a service record that warrants the honor of having their name associated with that base?' Rosenberg said. Angela Betancourt, a public relations strategist at Betancourt Group and a United States Air Force Reservist said the ongoing renaming of military bases is a form of branding for what each administration views the military should represent. While she understands why people are upset about military bases reverting to a name associated with the Confederacy, Betancourt said that should not take away from the new namesake's heritage and legacy. 'It doesn't mean it's not a good thing to do,' Betancourt said. 'There's certainly heroes, especially African American and diverse heroes, that should be honored. I think this is a good way to do it.' ______ The Associated Press reporters Lolita C. Baldor, John Hanna and Sara Cline contributed to this report.
Fox News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Civil rights organization declares 'state of national emergency,' citing attacks on DEI
A civil rights organization declared a "state of national emergency" in response to the Trump administration's policies. NPR's Juana Summers interviewed Marc Morial, the president and CEO of the National Urban League, to discuss why the organization declared a state of national emergency. The organization has been releasing a report called the "State of Black America" for over four decades. According to the organization's website, the report "explores the inequities across America's economics, employment, education, health, housing, criminal justice, and civic participation systems through research and the words of our contributors." This year, the National Urban League's report is titled "State of Emergency: Democracy, Civil Rights And Progress Under Attack." Morial first addressed the annual report on the State of Black America when prompted by Summers to describe what it means. "There's an unprecedented attack on the gains of the last 70 years. And think about it. Seventy years ago, Brown v. the Board of Education began the dismantling of segregation in America," Morial said. He went on to cite voter suppression, "attacks" on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and "cutbacks" on Medicaid, food stamps, veterans' benefits, and education. Morial's comments came after President Donald Trump vowed to target DEI. Trump's crusade against DEI began on the first day of his second term with an executive order, "Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing." Summers pressed Morial further, asking him to spell out Trump's objective to dismantle DEI programs. She added that the pushback against DEI occurred before Trump. "To your mind, what has changed since people who oppose these types of policies came into power in the federal government in 2025?" Summer asked. "Think about the executive orders that seek to shut down the enforcement mechanisms, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Education and the complete change in mission of the Civil Rights Division," Morial said. "All of these specific things when taken together just simply represent an assault on the idea of equal opportunity, on the idea of racial justice, on the idea of, yes, diversity, equity and inclusion, which is a strength of America - a powerful, powerful strength of America. And that is why so many of us have had to stand up a very strong effort to resist through the courts. Some are protesting." Morial said that the National Urban League is working on slowing down the "Make America Great Again" movement. "We're doing everything possible to try to slow down this movement, and it is a movement. It's called the MAGA movement. You can call it that. But it's bigger than politics because it is a broad-based assault, using public policy as a weapon against equal opportunity," he said. The National Urban League told Fox News Digital that they have made an effort to reach out to Trump administration officials. "The National Urban League requested meetings with GOP House and Senate leaders and Trump administration cabinet officers and has not received responses," Morial said.
Forbes
21-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Intuit Expands IDEAS Program To 9 Cities, Adds Veterans-Only Cohort
LAUL and Intuit IDEAS graduates check presentation and celebration on March 21, 2025 at the Intuit ... More Dome in Inglewood, CA. The program is set to start again and is expanded to 9 cities across the U.S. Intuit is expanding the IDEAS (Invest, Develop, Empower, Accelerate, Scale) business accelerator program to nine metropolitan areas across the United States. A new nationwide cohort will also support military veterans and their spouses with targeted entrepreneurial resources. What Is The Intuit IDEAS Program? Intuit IDEAS is a comprehensive 12-month accelerator program to equip small business owners with the digital infrastructure, financial literacy, and leadership skills needed to compete and scale up their ventures in today's economy. At its core is Intuit's platform –QuickBooks, TurboTax, MailChimp, and Credit Karma –which participants gain full access to during the program. They will also have access to experts who will help them grow their small businesses through support with aspects like business compliance, back-office bookkeeping, tax preparation, and email marketing. Intuit also partnered with the National Urban League to provide culturally competent business coaching and with Zella Life to offer personalized executive mentorship. 'The success and impact of Intuit IDEAS is undeniable,' said Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League, in a press release. 'By combining Intuit's products and services with the National Urban League's 115 years of experience supporting and coaching small business owners, the possibilities for us together to make a real difference are endless.' At the end of the 12-month program, participants will also receive $5,000 to help them further scale up their businesses. In it's inaugural year, Intuit reports that participants experienced an average of 23% revenue growth and reclaimed up to 16.5 hours per month through improved workflows and automation. Expanding The Program's Reach The IDEAS program was piloted Los Angeles, then first expanded to Atlanta and Philadelphia. Because of its success, Intuit announced a further expansion of the IDEAS program, extending its scope to six more areas: Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, New Orleans, New York City, and San Diego. This marks a major commitment to economic inclusion and small business development nationwide. 'We created this program, and continue to invest in it, because it is an incredible example of our mission and platform coming to life and a proven model of what a small business owner can achieve when they have products, services, and support they need not only to survive but to thrive,' said David Graham, Senior Vice President of Customer Services at Intuit in the same press release. As a result of this expansion, the IDEAS program will be able to serve up to 250 small business owners nationwide. A Dedicated Cohort For Military Veterans Another noteworthy addition to the program is the introduction of a cohort exclusively for military veterans and their spouses. This signals a broader commitment to inclusive entrepreneurship and an effort to not just honor the service of veterans but their potential as economic contributors. 'Veterans have shown incredible leadership and sacrifice in serving our country. Through the Intuit IDEAS program, we're committed to helping them turn those same qualities into thriving businesses that strengthen our economy and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs,' said Sacha Adam, Vice President of Intuit Assist and Expert Experiences, as quoted in an Intuit blog post. Participants selected will gain access to all the tools and coaching available to other IDEAS participants. Why This Matters From a financial literacy standpoint, this program is an example of a high-impact intervention from the private sector. Many small business owners enter entrepreneurship with talent and passion but without the financial acumen and resources needed to sustain long-term success. Programs like Intuit IDEAS bridge this gap by integrating financial education into daily business operations with the use of tools like QuickBooks, TurboTax, MailChimp, or Credit Karma. The coaching and mentorship also reinforce financial literacy in applied contexts. Rather than abstract lectures, participants receive targeted advice that helps them make data-driven decisions, manage risk, and plan for sustainable growth. For small business owners, this program is a great opportunity to access tools and mentorship and grow their ventures and, ultimately, achieve financial freedom. For financial literacy advocates, it is a tangible example of how applied education and strategic support can change economic trajectories.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Intuit Expands Its IDEAS Small Business Program Across Nine U.S. Cities
Intuit is expanding on its Invest, Develop, Empower, Accelerate and Scale program this year, in partnership with the National Urban League. After the success of its inaugural year, Intuit said it's expanding to support an additional 250 small business owners across nine cities: Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia and San Diego. More from WWD Is AI Ready to Revolutionize Personal Styling? LVMH and Google Executives Talk Agentic AI, Cybersecurity and Navigating Volatility From 3D Printing to AI: How the Footwear Industry Is Stepping Into the Future The IDEAS program launched as a way to help small businesses grow and give them access to Intuit's suite of artificial intelligence-powered products: TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks and Mailchimp. Participants will also get access to business and executive coaching from the National Urban League and Zella Life. The yearlong program includes a tech grant for hardware support. 'The success and impact of Intuit IDEAS is undeniable,' said Marc H. Morial, president and chief executive officer of the National Urban League. 'We know that small businesses face myriad challenges from limited funding, access to capital, to a lack of support. By combining Intuit's products and services with the National Urban League's 115 years of experience supporting and coaching small business owners, the possibilities for us together to make a real difference are endless.' This year the program will be supporting a separate, national cohort of military veteran-owned and military spouse-owned small businesses. At the conclusion and completion of the 12-month program, companies will also receive a grant of $5,000 to help their business grow. Last year, Intuit said its participants saw an average of 23 percent revenue increase and 16.5 hours saved monthly. The program is now open for participants to apply until July 21. 'We created this program — and continue to invest in it — because it is an incredible example of our mission and platform coming to life and a proven model of what a small business owner can achieve when they have the products, services and support they need to not only survive but to thrive,' said David Graham, senior vice president of customer success at Intuit. Best of WWD The Definitive Timeline for Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Sean John Fashion Brand: Lawsuits, Runway Shows and Who Owns It Now What the Highest-paid CEOs at U.S. Fashion and Retail Companies Make Confidence Holds Up, But How Much Can Consumers Take? Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Miami Herald
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
‘This is a warning:' National Urban League report details state of Black America
The National Urban League's annual report The State of Black America, published Thursday, offers a pessimistic look at the state of civil rights protections in the United States and warns 'that our country is on the brink of a dangerous tilt toward authoritarianism.' The report, which has been an annual barometer on civil rights progress in the United States since it first appeared in 1976, details the onslaught of attacks to voting rights, civil rights protections and the dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives intended to provide parity for Black Americans and other gender and racial minorities. 'There is a state of emergency in Black America, and our report this year is a warning and a rallying cry as civil rights protections are being unraveled (and) democracy is under siege,' the nonprofit's CEO and president Marc Morial told reporters at a media briefing days before the formal release of the report. 'What began as what we thought were fringe attacks on racial equity has now become national policy,' he continued. 'We are in a state of emergency, and the National Urban League has a fundamental obligation to stand up for democracy, to stand up for diversity, and stand up for economic policies that defeat poverty.' The report highlights the legal backlash against Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from a flurry of lawsuits dismantling affirmative action in college admissions to targeting Black-owned businesses using their capital to support other Black entrepreneurs. Now, the report says, anti-DEI has become part of the federal doctrine and is attacking universities and corporations. The report also highlights how under the current Department of Justice leadership, the Civil Rights Division has been completely repurposed — 'transforming it from a guardian of justice to a tool of retribution.' It's now been instructed to target corporations and universities with DEI programs. 'This is a deliberate coordinated campaign to reverse decades of progress for the American people, decades of progress for black America,' Morial said. The country is in a different place On Thursday, at the National Urban League's conference in Cleveland, the threats detailed in the report were discussed during a panel that included National Coalition on Black Civic Participation CEO Melanie Campbell, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights CEO and president Maya Wiley, and Kimberle W. Crenshaw, co-founder and executive director of The African American Policy Forum. RELATED: 'Scary times': Ben Crump and Rep. Jasmine Crockett speak to Miami Gardens residents Campbell, a Florida native, said the country is in a different place than it was five years ago despite the gains made during social justice movements in the wake of the George Floyd killing. She noted the creation of 'Alligator Alcatraz,' the immigrant detention center that was built in the Florida Everglades, and the arrests of elected officials in California and New Jersey who voiced concerns about ICE raids. 'We also can't let fear block us, but we have to be strategic,' she said. 'This time we are really at an existential threat on the very fabric of what this nation is supposed to be about, which is democracy.' 'They're trying to rationalize dismantling the government, [whose] intention is supposed to help us all be able to solve problems our communities have,' Wiley said. 'It doesn't mean that we have to agree. That's not about partisan politics. That's not about Democrat or Republican. That's about an extremist ideology that is now playing out in government, and it is playing out in our courts.' The report highlights the legal battles being waged against the Trump administration including one filed by the National Urban League and others against anti-equity executive orders. But Morial encouraged people to host townhalls to discuss plans of action and how to tackle issues they're seeing locally. 'I think people should make their voices known on social media,' he told reporters. 'I think elected officials should be called to account by how they're resisting these efforts. We are in a tough, tough situation, and so we've got to fight with our voice.' Campbell said that Black people need to prepare for midterm elections next year in key states such as Florida, including in South Florida where U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar, R‑Fla, will be up for reelection. She emphasized that key elections are opportunities to flip Republican districts to Democratic, but said that it's important to focus on where you are investing your money to push back against policies. That could mean donating to your local museum to preserve history, she said. Campbell also added that corporate leadership also has to step up and push back against harmful policies instead of retreating on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. 'There is no such thing as a free market society without a democracy,' she said. 'Out of touch' But not everyone agrees with the national chapter's focus. T. Willard Fair, the Urban League of Greater Miami president and CEO, said he was not attending the conference and was critical of the national organization's focus, calling them 'out of touch with reality,' and instead believed they should be focused on closing the achievement gap. In Florida, for example, 45 percent of Black students passed the state's standardized Languages Arts tests, while 67 percent of white students passed. The local affiliate has focused its efforts on educational programs such as its Achievement Matters SAT/ACT Test Camp and We Rise Reads programs, according to a 2024 Urban League Census. 'If you become educated and pass the bar exam, you can become the attorney general, if you want to be,' Fair said, adding that the organization should not focus on the past and stop focusing on the emotions of other people about the conditions of Black people. 'I think we have proven that you can be whatever you want to be if you are qualified to be what you want to be,' he said. Fair also said the negative attitudes Black people have about themselves need to change. 'At the Miami affiliate, we've proven that nothing stops us but us, and when we have a plan …then we are successful.'
