Democratic Operatives Make a Push For Michelle Obama To Become Vice President

Democratic operatives have just launched a committee with the aim of pushing presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to name Michelle Obama as his vice president.

“The Committee to Draft Michelle Obama firmly believes that Ms. Obama will not only benefit the Democratic ticket this November but also help lead this country to be more just and caring,” the group said in a statement according to ABC News. “However strongly we support Ms. Obama as Vice President Biden’s running mate, we will transfer our resolve to whoever joins the ticket to defeat the most dangerous incumbent in the history of our nation.”

Biden committed to choosing a black woman as his vice president but has backtracked on that in recent weeks. Biden did say that he would choose the former first lady “in a heartbeat,” but noted that it was unlikely to happen.

“She’s brilliant. She knows the way around. She is a really fine woman. The Obamas are great friends,” Biden said in an interview with CBS in late April. However, Biden added, “I don’t think she has any desire to live in the White House again.”

The newly formed committee filed as a non-connected PAC on April 26, according to FEC documents, and is not affiliated with Barack Obama or Biden’s campaign. The committee is supported by Democratic fundraisers including Nadine Hack and Mack Wilbourn.

Although the committee wants Biden to choose Michelle Obama as his running mate, the committee said it will “transfer our resolve to whoever joins the ticket to defeat the most dangerous incumbent in the history of our nation.”

In March, House Majority Whip James Clyburn urged Biden to choose a black woman as his running mate. Clyburn suggested Kamala Harris, Stacey Abrams, Democratic Reps. Marcia Fudge of Ohio, Val Demings of Florida, and Karen Bass of California as potential choices, as well as Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.

Biden has already begun his search for a vice president saying he hopes to make a selection by the end of May.

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Democratic Operatives Make a Push For Michelle Obama To Become Vice President

Democratic operatives have just launched a committee with the aim of pushing presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to name Michelle Obama as his vice president.

“The Committee to Draft Michelle Obama firmly believes that Ms. Obama will not only benefit the Democratic ticket this November but also help lead this country to be more just and caring,” the group said in a statement according to ABC News. “However strongly we support Ms. Obama as Vice President Biden’s running mate, we will transfer our resolve to whoever joins the ticket to defeat the most dangerous incumbent in the history of our nation.”

Biden committed to choosing a black woman as his vice president but has backtracked on that in recent weeks. Biden did say that he would choose the former first lady “in a heartbeat,” but noted that it was unlikely to happen.

“She’s brilliant. She knows the way around. She is a really fine woman. The Obamas are great friends,” Biden said in an interview with CBS in late April. However, Biden added, “I don’t think she has any desire to live in the White House again.”

The newly formed committee filed as a non-connected PAC on April 26, according to FEC documents, and is not affiliated with Barack Obama or Biden’s campaign. The committee is supported by Democratic fundraisers including Nadine Hack and Mack Wilbourn.

Although the committee wants Biden to choose Michelle Obama as his running mate, the committee said it will “transfer our resolve to whoever joins the ticket to defeat the most dangerous incumbent in the history of our nation.”

In March, House Majority Whip James Clyburn urged Biden to choose a black woman as his running mate. Clyburn suggested Kamala Harris, Stacey Abrams, Democratic Reps. Marcia Fudge of Ohio, Val Demings of Florida, and Karen Bass of California as potential choices, as well as Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.

Biden has already begun his search for a vice president saying he hopes to make a selection by the end of May.

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Devale Ellis on shocking ‘Sistas’ finale and pursuing his dream job

You may know Devale and Khadeen Ellis from capturing our hearts and sharing their love story on OWN’s Black Love in 2018, from their hit podcast ‘Deadass,’ or from their social media presence on Instagram and Youtube as they chronicle their life as a sexy married couple with kids.

But most recently, Devale stars as Zac in Tyler Perry’s BET series Sistas. The show revolves around four single Black women navigating life and relationships. Devale plays a single man trying to reconcile with his ex, a character much different from who he is in real life.

After 25 episodes, Sistas had its season finale and Zac may finally have found some closure in his off-again, on-again relationship. We’ll just have to see in Season 2.

Before getting into entertainment and social media, Devale was a professional football player who played with the Detroit Lions until getting injured and then cut. It was then he decided that he wanted to pursue his dream of acting.

“People have to understand that this is a pivot point in life. Everybody’s life is going to have pivot points. Me getting cut by the NFL was when God was like ‘Yo, you are going to have to do something else.

This is a point where people will have to look themselves in the eye and say my life will not be the way it was I have to change. Once you establish that, that is your reality now you can focus on what you can do to make that change better.”

Devale says preparing, practicing and spending time studying your craft is important if you want to reach the next level.

“If you want to do something and be great at it, you have to study it. You can’t just say ‘Hey, I want to be an actor, I’m going to act. Or I want to write, I’m going to write. I want to be a makeup artist. I’m just going to paint faces. It doesn’t work like that.”

On Sistas, Devale’s character goes through his own battles within his relationship and caree but he couldn’t tell us what to expect from his character next season. That’s entirely up to Perry, he says.

Devale Ellis and Khadeen Ellis attend the Oval and Sistas screenings at Southern Exchange on  in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for BET)

“These first 25 episodes you’re gonna watch Zac going through it, trying to do the right thing but always f**king it up.” He says Zac’s main issue is his lack of maturity.

Sistas can currently be streamed on BET+ and is expected to return for a second season. Devale has a new project in the works and he promised to reveal it to TheGrio exclusively when Hollywood officially opens back up. You can catch the full interview below on IGTV.

 

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Black freelancers hit hard by COVID-19 get creative for income

What happens to people who earn an income on a job-by-job basis when there are no more jobs? From photographers and media correspondents to Lyft drivers and skilled-workers, many people who are self-employed or independent contractors are faced with canceled events and low demand due to the coronavirus pandemic.

theGrio’s third episode of Staying In Business’ highlights the effect that the COVID-19 outbreak has on Black freelancers who mainly rely on the gig economy for financial support.

READ MORE: theGrio’s ‘Staying In Business’ explores Black restaurants facing COVID-19

theGrio finds that independent workers create approximately 34 percent of the United States workforce. Twenty-seven percent of Black people earn money through the gig economy and for over half of this population, their gig job stands as their primary source of income.

“The bag ain’t as easy as it was pre-quarantine,” remarks media maven Kela Walker. Her sentiments ring true for many self-employed workers who are not receiving as many jobs.  Lloyd Morency shares how a new request did not appear for two weeks on TaskRabbit, his typical hub for daily work.

“I work for Task Rabbit, we have various different things you can do, whether
it’s moving, painting, or furniture assembly. When things are really good, you definitely expect to be making roughly $1500 to $2000 a week. Me, I’m definitely always booked up. Definitely every day doing a task here and there as far as this month is concerned, the business has been truly slow,” remarks Morency.

A protestor displays a sign as Uber and Lyft drivers with Rideshare Drivers United and the
 Transport Workers Union of America prepare to conduct a ‘caravan protest’ outside the California Labor Commissioner’s office amidst the coronavirus pandemic on April 16, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

The music and event industry is also severely impacted by social distancing restrictions. For performing artists, shows being canceled means income also takes a fall, even if tickets were previously sold and flights already booked. Singer Eric Roberson shares how not being able to perform is impacting his pockets.

“You got to think that you are pretty much unemployed after every gig. After every situation, when you walk off that stage or you walk out of the studio, you’re looking for the
next level of income,” says Roberson.

READ MORE: theGrio launches Facebook Watch series covering plight of Black-owned businesses during COVID-19

Some companies, however, have shifted their practices in creative ways to keep their business relevant beyond revenue. A husband and wife owned photography company moved their photoshoots to FaceTime during the pandemic, offering free services for clients and five photo edits.

“They’re completely free. You couldn’t put a price tag on something like this, especially with everything going on. People have blessed us.They send us donations for doing this during this time, as uncertain as things are right now,” says Kareem Virgo of Reem Photography.

His virtual photoshoots have gone viral, which Virgo says is a great opportunity to grow business, leaving a lasting impression with potential clients looking to book once society reaches a new normal and social distancing guidelines are softened.

View the full episode for more details on the plight of Black independent employees during the COVID-19 pandemic tune in to Staying In Business on theGrio’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/theGrio).

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Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock among comics taking part in star-studded ‘Feeding America’ benefit

Celebrities have been stepping up during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep our spirits high and now NBC, Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios (parent company of theGrio) and Funny or Die have all partnered up to gift us with a two-hour comedy special that’s sure to have audiences in stitches.

According to Variety, this Sunday, the two-hour Feeding America Comedy Festival will air on NBC and several other formats with an incredibly star-studded line-up of dozens of comedians including comedy heavyweights like Eddie Murphy, Billy Crystal, and Chris Rock.

READ MORE: Byron Allen to host ‘Feeding America Comedy Festival’ with comic greats

(Photo by Michael Bezjian/Getty Images for Entertainment Studios)

“There’s nothing more important right now than doing everything we can to make sure everyone affected by this pandemic is able to feed themselves and their families,” said Doug Vaughan, NBC Entertainment’s executive vice president of special programs. “We’re honored to be partnering with Feeding America and the amazing work they’re doing to make sure there is food on everyone’s table.”

“In partnership with Feeding America, my comedian friends and all of us at Allen Media Group are pleased to announce this global live-streaming comedy event on May 10th,” said Allen, head of Entertainment Studios/Allen Media Group.

READ MORE: Feeding America CEO is on a mission to feed the nation’s hungry

Eddie Murphy Leads All-Star Lineup of Comedians for Charity Comedy Festival for @FeedingAmerica pic.twitter.com/XhTq4qPAKn

— Melissa Knowles (@Knowlesitall) April 23, 2020

 

“Laughter is often the best medicine, and we are extremely motivated to bring attention to issues of food insecurity, and to assist in providing meals to families across the country who are financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he continued.

Others set to appear in video segments (in alphabetical order): Byron Allen who put together the star-studded show; Louie Anderson, Judd Apatow, Jack Black, Wayne Brady, Adam Carolla, Cedric the Entertainer, Margaret Cho, Andrew Dice Clay, Deon Cole, Whitney Cummings, Tommy Davidson, Bill Engvall, Mike Epps, Billy Gardell, Brad Garrett, Whoopi Goldberg, Tiffany Haddish, Kevin Hart, Taraji P. Henson, Kevin James, Jim Jefferies, Jamie Kennedy, Keegan-Michael Key, George Lopez, Jon Lovitz, Howie Mandel, Sebastian Maniscalco, Marc Maron, Tim Meadows, Jodi Miler, Caroline Rhea, Adam Sandler, Sarah Silverman, JB Smoove, Kenan Thompson, Sheryl Underwood, and Marlon Wayans.

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