December 27, 2018
• Michelle Obama Releases Memoir
The highly anticipated memoir by former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama, “Becoming” sold more than 725,000 units in all formats and editions in the U.S. and Canada on the first day of its publication and has since become one of the best-selling political memoirs of all time. The book was received well overall and has led to the former First Lady extending her book tour, which is now scheduled to end May 12 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.
• Omarosa Manigault Newman
This year Omarosa Manigault Newman resigned from her position as the senior staff and assistant to President Donald Trump. Her resignation came with much controversy and many rumors however; Newman has announced that she will be telling her side of the story in her new book “Unhinged.” Additionally, Newman has released tapes to prove that her book is as true as the words on the pages.
• The #MeToo Campaign
Tarana Burke has been helping women talk about sexual harassment through the organization she co-founded called Just Be Inc. where she hears a lot of reports of sexual violence. Burke decided that she wanted to offer young survivors what she needed in the aftermath of her own assault: empathy. So she started the #MeToo campaign “to spread a message for survivors: you’re heard, you’re understood.”
• Botham Jean Death
On September 6, 2018, Botham Jean was killed in his apartment by Dallas Police officer Amber Guyger after she mistakenly took his apartment for her own. Later, Guyger was fired from the department after fatally shooting the 26-year-old who was unarmed. In November of this year, Jean’s family filed a lawsuit against the city and Guyger.
• Trump Commutes Sentence For Alice Johnson
In June, President Donald Trump commuted the life sentence of Alice Marie Johnson, a drug offender, after being championed by Kim Kardashian West. Johnson had spent more than two decades behind bars and was not eligible for parole.
• Jim Clyburn Named New Majority Whip
Jim Clyburn of South Carolina’s 6th Congressional District became the new majority whip. He ran unopposed despite the desire among some Democrats for new leadership. Clyburn, who is currently serving as the assistant Democratic leader, served as majority whip from 2007 through 2010.
• Wilma Mishoe Becomes President of Delaware State University
Wilma Mishoe, who had been serving as interim president since January, will assume her new role as president of Delaware State University on July 1, 2019. She will also become the school’s first female president.
• Nia Franklin Wins Miss America
Nia Franklin won the title of Miss America 2018. Franklin is an opera singer and native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Additionally, Franklin has earned her master’s degree in music composition from UNC School of the Arts. Also, she advocate for the arts during her tenure as Miss America, told reporters that she was also happy that the swimsuit competition – which had been part of the overall contest throughout its 92-year history – had been discontinued.
• Colin Kaepernick Becomes The Face Of Nike Ad
Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick became a member of Nike’s campaign for the 30th anniversary of their slogan “Just Do It.” The ad consists of a black and white portrait of Kaepernick with the phrase “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.” Along with the ad, Nike is set to release new Kaepernick apparel which will include a t-shirt and a pair of shoes. Other athletes will also be featured in the “Just Do It” 30th anniversary, including Williams, James and Odell Beckham Jr.
• Waffle House Hero
James Shaw Jr., 29, was eating breakfast at a Waffle House in Nashville, Tennessee on April 22, when a man in a bomber jacket opened fire. Shaw Jr. pushed the gunman outside after a tussle for control of the gun, getting bullet-grazed in the process, but saving numerous lives in the process. He has reportedly raised over $200,000 to support the victim’s families through a GoFundMe Page he created the same day of the shooting.