In The News

Known best for her role as "Maria" on Sesame Street, APB speaker Sonia Manzano is teaming up with National Geographic on a powerful new children’s book called A World Together. During a time when the world must come together as one, Sonia’s Sesame Street character “Maria” offers readers warmth and wit in a picture book that looks across cultures and generations to celebrate what unites us. National Geographic and Manzano are excited to unveil A World Together, which will be released on September 15th 2020. 

College football star, attorney, author, former FBI agent and former federal prosecutor M. Quentin Williams is now working with law enforcement, the community and a growing number of athletes in building bridges to inspire social change and understanding.

During this time of social distancing, APB is doing our part in bringing the world a little closer. Check out this week's volume of HealthCast, which showcases a range of content—podcasts, TED talks, current articles and interviews—from some of our most informative, inspiring, sought-after speakers.

Today is Juneteenth, a day that should be recognized by all Americans. It marks June 19, 1865, when enslaved African-Americans throughout Texas learned that they were free—news that took approximately two months after the Confederate surrender of  the Civil War and two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation to reach them. It is also the anniversary of the Greenwood Massacre, one of the worst episodes of racist violence in U.S. history. On June 19, 1921 a white mob stormed a thriving African-American neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, burning it to the ground and killing 300 people. As our nation recognizes the legacy of Juneteenth during a time of heightened consciousness over pervasive racism and persecution in our nation, we urge you to learn more about the significance of this anniversary.

CNN’s Chief National Correspondent and speaker John King says recent coronavirus statistic are frustrating. As states are beginning to reopen, the U.S. COVID19 death toll has crossed 103,000. On this week’s segment of Inside Politics, King highlights one of the most compounding and upsetting facts about coronavirus. The pandemic is affecting the African American population most prominently, with 25% of the COVID-19 deaths hitting that specific race.  

Award-winning author and APB speaker Dr. Donna Hicks is the pioneering mind behind the Dignity Model, a signature approach that she has applied to the most divisive and deep-seated conflicts around the world. In her recent blog post, Donna mentions how the assaults to the dignity of African Americans perpetrated by police have a long history in this country.

New York Times bestselling author, CEO of the Robin Hood Foundation and APB speaker Wes Moore captured the nation’s attention with his debut book The Other Wes Moore, a firsthand account of a life journey empowered by the strength of family, educational opportunities and community network. Wes is now speaking out against the systemic injustice and racism happening in our country. 

New York Times bestselling author and APB speaker David Epstein highlights the murder of a black man in his recent “Range Report,” where he interviews his brother Daniel. This murder took place in Minneapolis when a black man died after police officers pinned him down with their knees for several minutes until he stopped breathing. No, not George Floyd – his name was David Cornelius Smith and this happened in 2010. 

Over 55 years ago, APB was founded on the mission to provide an open forum for individuals to voice their opinions and points of view. Now is the time to speak out. Now is the time to stand together. Now is the time for change. We have a long history of working toward racial justice and providing a platform to those giving a voice to the voiceless, from such leaders as Martin Luther King, Jr., Dick Gregory, and Adam Clayton Powell to the Civil Rights Movement and Black Lives Matter. As we reflect on everything that is happening, let’s be confident that change will come – and smart enough to know that it must involve all of us.

Widow of country music legend Glen Campbell, Kim Campbell has made it her personal mission to improve the quality of life for people with dementia and their caregivers. Along with her daughter Ashley Campbell, they set out to share their family’s journey with Alzheimer’s after Glen was diagnosed in 2011. Kim and Ashley recently joined a Zoom call with families who are not able to visit their loved ones in nursing homes due to the coronavirus.