A man accused of participating in the January 6, 2021,Insurrection at the U.S. Capitol was arrested with 400 rounds of ammunition, two firearms, explosive materials and a machete in his van near former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle’s home, reports NBC News.

Taylor Taranto, a Navy veteran, was discovered near the Obama’s residence on June 29, 2023, after receiving their address from former President Donald Trump, who shared it using screenshots on his Truth Social platform. Taranto reposted Trump’s post to his own account

Livestreaming his activities, the suspect bragged about being in proximity to the former first couple’s residence and wanting to interview John Podesta, a former White House Chief of Staff.

“We got these losers surrounded,” Taranto said in the video. “See you in hell, Podesta’s and Obama’s!”

“I’m outside Barack Obama’s house,” he continued

It is not known if the Barack Obama and Michelle were home at the time of the incident.

Taranto was detained by Secret Service officers and was charged as a fugitive from justice although the officials didn’t specify the underlying details of the case.

Following the arrest, D.C. law enforcement dispatched a specialized unit to investigate Taranto’s van, near the location of his arrest.

In a statement, the police said, “There is no active threat to the community and this incident remains under investigation.”

The legal troubles for Taranto continue to add up. He and another man are being sued by Erin Smith, the wife of D.C. police officer Jeffrey Smith, who committed suicide nine days after the Capitol insurrection and was ruled a line-of-duty death. According to the civil suit, the plaintiff claims that Taranto handed a cane or a crowbar to his co-defendant, who used the weapon to strike Smith in the face.

Per the report, Taranto has no permanent address and is reportedly living out of his van. He is a resident of the state of Washington, officials determined

Taranto will remain in custody until his hearing in Washington, D.C. on July 5, 2023.

Black American women currently have more political power than ever in the history of this country. We’ve seen the first Black female Supreme Court Justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson and sworn in the first Black and Asian American female Vice President, Kamala Harris. There are 28 Black women in congressional seats that “We the People” elected, a record high. 

It’s a number that impresses Singleton McAllister, an attorney who has practiced government relations and public policy law for more than 20 years, serving in numerous positions in the U.S. House of Representatives. “I’d say we’ve come very far. Let’s consider the history made last month when Jennifer McClellan, a former Virginia state senator, was sworn in to become the first Black woman to represent the former capital of the Confederacy in Congress,” McAllister shares.

“McClellan joining the 27 other female members of the Congressional Black Caucus is the result of a growing move toward increased diversity, in particular a rise in the number of young and female voters. These changes have even prompted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to recruit more women and people of color to his ranks.”

While it is absolutely important to acknowledge and celebrate the progress we have made toward equal and fair representation for Black women in American politics, we can also recognize that there are still vast pitfalls and inequalities in our political systems. Once Kamala Harris assumed higher office, there was no longer a single Black woman in the Senate. And no Black woman has ever been the governor of a U.S. state. “Congress members are still far more likely than the overall U.S. population to be white, a percentage that has not really changed since 1981,” McAllister reports to EBONY.

Holding these dual truths in mind: record-breaking representation in what is still an overwhelmingly white, male-dominated space, it is clear that we have work to do to break these all too familiar barriers down.

During Justice Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearings in March 2022, she faced a blitz of bewildering and aggressive questioning from Republican senators like Ted Cruz, Marsha Blackburn and Lindsey Graham. Cruz asked her if she agreed with Ibram X. Kendi’s Antiracist Baby and if babies are racist.” Deciding whether a book teaches children Critical Race Theory, a legal theory dissected in law schools, is not her job. Blackburn asked Justice Brown Jackson to provide a definition for the word “woman,” the job of a biologist, not for someone about to sit on the nation’s highest court. Graham, who did end up voting to confirm Brown Jackson, stormed out after a heated exchange with New York State senator Chuck Schumer over one of Brown Jackson’s answers about representation as a value of the constitution. 

Earlier this year, Lori Lightfoot became the first Chicago mayor in 40 years to lose a reelection bid. A spike in crime in Chicago and Lightfoot’s clashes with labor unions and Chicago Teachers Union did not help her keep a stronger voting base, as well as facing significant competition from six other Black candidates for the Black vote. Obviously, Chicagoans didn’t explicitly choose not to vote for Lightfoot because she is a Black woman, but it’s undeniable that she’s held to higher and stricter standards by liberals and conservatives alike. 

“I see this as the practice of bringing in Black women to handle situations more likely to be in crisis than others,” McAllister explains. “Known as a glass cliff—or perhaps what I would call being asked to jump without a parachute—Black women are expected to come in to fix challenging problems or manage high-pressure situations where missteps could result in harsh penalties not experienced by their white peers. So while the opportunity may be well-deserved, the stakes are huge. If things don’t go right, it could mean another Black woman won’t be considered for such a role in the future, which is very unlikely the outcome for a white man put in a similar situation.”

Michelle Obama, who was never a politician, was routinely accosted in the media for completely arbitrary and harmless “offenses.” She was constantly criticized for how she looked and dressed, or for how she was “disrespecting” America by daring to go on a date with her presidential husband. Vice President Kamala Harris reportedly feels “stifled from feeling like an outsider in D.C.” An attack ad directed at Stacey Abrams darkened her skin. These are just three prominent examples of the struggles Black women are facing in the American political scene.

Despite the fact we still have a long way to go before Black women achieve true political equality, we have also come incredibly far. Black women were effectively disenfranchised until the Voting Rights Act of 1965, less than 60 years ago. Across the nation, more Black women than ever before are running for local and state government positions, as well as national positions of political office. 

“We must remain steadfast in our commitment for greater representation at the local, state and national levels, advocating for an ability to shape policies based on a set of life experiences that are as diverse as its population,” McAllister emphasizes.  

As Black women wield more political power than we ever before, to forward progress toward equality, we must continue to vote for and elect Black women in local and national offices and encourage, support and uplift Black leaders in our respective communities. It’s important to follow and empower people like Amanda Gorman, the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, or Imani Barbarin, a Black disabled woman who uses her platforms on social media to advocate for differently abled people and to share her experiences that shed light on everyday inequalities and injustices. 

“Ensuring that young, ambitious women can see themselves in their leaders will help move the needle,” McAllister concurs. “As the Vice Chair of the National Women’s History Museum, I am proud that we will be able to bring to life some of these Black female trailblazers at the new exhibit in Washington, D.C, We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC. By showcasing their contributions to women’s history through political activism, we can help reverse the alienation and under-representation experienced by younger women. I also think a shift in how we think about who we are as a group is important. We are not a monolithic, one-size-fits-all box that must be checked. We bring a set of skills, perspectives and experiences that are as diverse as any, and those assets should matter just as much as anyone else’s, regardless of gender or race.”

By doing something as small as investing more of our time and attention in Black activists, leaders and politicians and in what they’re advocating for, we continue to make steps toward an equal future.

International Women’s Day was created to commemorate the accomplishments of women globally and the social, economic, cultural and political intersections that inform their identities. This specific holiday not only celebrates the diversity of all women but brings awareness to the importance of uplifting them no matter where they came from. From the pages of historical books to those ordinary folks doing their best every day, women everywhere make this world a better place.

Here are several documentaries about Black women who have cemented their place in history on their own terms.

Zora Neale Hurston: Claiming A Space

Zora Neale Hurston was ahead of her time and went many decades without receiving her just due in her time. Filmmaker Tracy Heather Strain brings her story to life through personal reflections and intimate written recollections from the famed author.

Becoming

Michelle Obama entered our hearts as First Lady of the United States. Since then, she has shared her truest self with the world and worked to better the community through sharing wisdom sourced from her lived experience.

What Happened, Miss Simone?

Nina Simone is one of the most prolific voices of the 20th century. This film explores her musical gifts, the public perception of her and her innermost truths.

Free Angela and All Political Prisoners

Due to her belief in Black liberation and social activism, Angela Davis ended upon the FBI’s most wanted list. This documentary chronicles her imprisonment which inspired a global movement.

Homecoming

Beyoncé is lauded for many things, one of those being her dynamic work ethic. Homecoming provides an in-depth look at one of the most iconic and groundbreaking performances of her career.

Beah: A Black Woman Speaks

Beah Richards was an actress who stayed true to her heritage to get the visibility she needed at a time where there was none. Nominated for an Academy Award for her role in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, this film profiles her journey and life after the notable performance.

Love, Lizzo

After years of hard work, Lizzo is getting well-deserved shine. Love, Lizzo explores her life up until her commercial breakthrough moment in pop culture.

President’s Day is a great opportunity to pick up the works of leaders in politics and social consciousness. Their books provide insight into their experiences as African Americans and how they have used their positions and words to empower and inspire others. Their stories set paths for liberation and fairness on a personal and national level.

Dive into inspiring pages from former President Barack Obama, Vice President Kamala Harris and more, and honor our country today by reading and reflecting on what they have accomplished.

A Promised Land

Barack Obama (Crown, 2020)

This #1 New York Times bestseller is the first volume of Barack Obama’s presidental memoris, from his days as a youg man to the path that led him to becoming the leader of the United States. In an insightful and insider look at the American presidency and the nation’s political structure.

The Truths We Hold: An American Journey

Kamala Harris (Penguin Press, 2019)

Sharing the childhood experience and familial upbringing that shaped her truths and personal values, this memoir is a master class in problem solving, icrisis management and leadership, written a few years before Kamala Harris became the first female, Black and Pan-Asian Vice President of the United States.

Price: $16

shop at Amazon

The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times

Michelle Obama (Crown Publishing, 2022)

Former First Lady Michelle Obama shares more of her challenges and triumphs as a spouse in the Oval Office, and serves up sage advice on marriage, parenting and living with your mom.

Price: $19

shop at Amazon

United: Thoughts on Finding Common Ground and Advancing the Common Good

Cory Booker (Ballantine Books, 2017)

New Jersey senator Corey Booker shares why—after receiving an Ivy League education—he turned to public service. Advocating for his home state New Jersey and all people’s right across the nation, he lays out his plan to reorient politics around the principles of compassion and solidarity.

Price: $15

shop at Amazon

On Monday, Michelle Obama sat in conversation with comedian and former late night host David Letterman about her new book The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times. Over the past few weeks, the former First Lady has been traveling across the country to talk with audiences about the her follow-up tome to her beloved widely-beloved memoir Becoming.. She recently landed in her hometown of Chicago for a two-day event.

Tonight she returns to the Chicago Theater for the second evening of her Chi-town book tour stop.

Since the book tour began, Michelle Obama has gone viral on social media for some of the topics referenced in The Light We Carry. She talks about the growth and sacrifice that she and her husband former president Barack Obama had to undergo in order to maintain a sense of balance within their relationship.

Released last month, The Light We Carry draws upon Mrs. Obama’s life experiences to reflect on the ways in which she believes that we can be a source of uplift for one another. Furthermore, as the world continues to bring about daily uncertainty, she aims to provide tidbits of wisdom to help readers navigate it on their own.

“I’ve learned it’s okay to recognize that self-worth comes wrapped in vulnerability, and that what we share as humans on this earth is the impulse to strive for better, always and no matter what,” writes Mrs. Obama. “We become bolder in brightness. If you know your light, you know yourself. You know your own story in an honest way. In my experience, this type of self-knowledge builds confidence, which in turn breeds calmness and an ability to maintain perspective, which leads, finally, to being able to connect meaningfully with others—and this to me is the bedrock of all things. One light feeds another. One strong family lends strength to more. One engaged community can ignite those around it. This is the power of the light we carry.”

As if the book release could not be any more iconic, Penguin Random House has named an annual $10,000 “Michelle Obama Award for Memoir” within its signature Creative Writing Awards (CWA) program in her honor.

Michelle Obama begins her book with the adage that we all need tools—welcomed or not—to survive, especially in uncertain times like the ones we live in today. The Light We Carry: Overcoming In Uncertain Times is meant to be one of those tools, culled from the ones that the former First Lady uses to sustain her marriage, her public persona and her sanity.

Divided into three parts, The Light We Carry reveals Obama’s insecurities in its first section. She is vividly candid, whether it was growing up too tall, or becoming an “only” Black individual during her studies at Princeton University. She points out that if you get caught up in the differences you think people are seeing and judging you by, you’ll never be able to concentrate on the traits that make you great. “No one can make you feel bad if you feel good about yourself,” she writes.

Addressing the fearful mind that tells us we’re not good, smart, pretty, etc. enough to accomplish our not-so-unreasonable life goals, Obama advises accepting her existence, and then to keep moving forward. Sharing the tale of a pal who greets himself enthusiastically every morning, Obama instructs us to be our own first person of the day who shows us some warmth. This simple act sets an intention for others to treat us with the same level of levity and openness.

In the second part of the book, Obama reveals the people you need around you to get further in life. That includes your girl crew, who can keep you bolstered when the love of your life is away.

She discusses the importance of family, sharing how her own mother, Marian Shields Robinson, moved into the White House to help care for her daughters Sasha and Malia as children. We also get a glimpse of Mama’s own rules to raising happy and adjusted kids (Number 5: Letting them know they can always come home, because we like you here).

Of course, there’s an entire chapter on partnering well, and no one has done it better than Michelle and President Barack Obama. Her secret is understanding that their love is not perfect, but that they are committed to its constant evaluation, improvement and the decision to stay rather than to run. For anyone interested in studying every little detail of the couple’s courtship, Obama lays it out quite nicely here. She low-key advises not to rush into a relationship as she addresses her daughters’ “dating around” statuses, making it OK to take the time to find the right partner. 

In the third section of the book, Obama encourages us to find our voice and the armor needed to thrive. It’s about using what makes us different to propel, not hinder our success, and shifting perspective to celebrate our uniqueness than fearing it. The fear of being an “outsider” may never dissipate. But with preparedness and adaptability, we can sail above it.

Obama’s final lesson expands on her famous sentiment, “Go High.” Even in the most trying of times, it’s still important to be thoughtful and respond with your head and heart to keep the poison out and power in. Obama ends with the lesson that going high is a commitment, but it’s always worth the yes. 

Construction has been halted at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago after a noose was discovered on site, reports NBC News.

Law enforcement officials responded at approximately 4 p.m. to a call that a noose was hanging in a stairwell at the site.

According to the Anti-Defamation League, a noose is identified as a hate symbol against African Americans and brings up memories of the thousands of lynchings that Black people endured in the U.S.

“Violence or threat of violence replaced slavery as one of the main forms of social control that whites used on African-Americans,” the ADL said.

“This shameless act of cowardice and hate is designed to get attention and divide us. Our priority is protecting the health and safety of our workforce,” the Obama Foundation said in a statement. “We have notified authorities who are investigating the incident.”

The center will commemorate and preserve artifacts from President Barack Obama’s two-term presidency and will include “a museum, a plaza, a rooftop garden, and a new branch of the Chicago Public Library.” In September 2021, the center held its groundbreaking; it is expected to open in 2025.

The Obama Presidential Center is led by Lakeside Alliance, in a joint venture between four Black-owned construction firms— Brown & Momen, Powers & Sons Construction, Safeway Construction and UJAMAA Construction—and Turner Construction, the primary contractor.

Lakeside Alliance is offering a $100,000 reward for any information that leads to the capture of the suspect.

“We have zero tolerance for any form of bias or hate on our worksite. Anti-bias training is included in our onboarding process and reiterated during site-wide meetings,” the alliance’s statement read. “We are suspending all operations onsite in order to provide another series of these trainings and conversations for all staff and workers.”

Responding to the incident, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said, “Racism and racist symbols have no place in Chicago.”

Your Brandon Blackwood overnight duffel is packed and you’re ready to spend a full weekend with the family, with a few nights back in your old childhood bedroom. After gorging on your mom’s savory Thanksgiving dishes, curl up with a frothy mug of goodness and dip into these good reads that are out just in time for us all to give thanks.

The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times

Easily one of the most anticipated books of the year, Michelle Obama’s new book, The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times is honest and thoughtful, revealing her thoughts on motherhood, marriage and maintaining sanity in unpredictable times. One of our biggest takeaways is the incredible relationship she shares with her mother. Breaking down how Marian Shields Robinson became “granny-in-chief” when she moved into the White House to help her daughter and son-in-law for the entire eight years that President Barack Obama was in office is a true testament to how Black families have consistently risen to the occasion to take care of their own.

Before I Let Go

USA Today’s best-selling author is taking us on a romantic roller coaster with her latest love saga Before I Let Go. Ryan once again crafts a heroine who is empowered, inspiring the men in her world to do whatever it takes to keep that connection alive. Outside circumstances crushed their marriage, but Yasmen and her ex Josiah have found a way to co-parent, leaving her the space to move forward with her life and business. But she finds herself drawn back to him, with stolen kisses that lead to an illicit affair, inevitably opening old wounds. Can love really come a second time around?

Pride and Protest

Pride and Protest (Berkley), Nikki Payne, $16, amazon.com. Image: courtesy of Amazon.

This novel is one of Meena Harris’ (Vice President Kamala Harris’ niece) Phenomenal Book Club picks for November 2022. Anthropologist Nikki Payne is taking the classics and giving them a modern-day twist. With a fresh retelling of the Jane Austen classic Pride and Prejudice, her debut novel Pride and Protest revolves around Liza Bennett, a round-the-way girl in Washington D.C. who goes head-to-head with Dorsey Fitzgerald, the adopted Filipino son and CEO of his family’s corporation threatening to destroy her neighborhood. But Liza soon discovers that discord can lead the heart to unbridled passion in this transracial love story.

Little Black Girl: Oh the Things You Can Do

Killing Eve star Kirby Howell-Baptiste shifts into the realm of author with a new rhythmic children’s picture book series that inspires young children to dream big. The world of robotics fascinates the main character of Little Black Girl. She has her Wakanda Forever moment sketching and building a robot for the school fair as she’s supported by a community of strong women. Howell-Baptiste has also penned Little Black Boy, sharing the environmental lessons this future marine biologist discovers to protect all aquatic creatures. These books are a perfect choice to read with your nieces and nephews, or to reignite your own inner fire.

Speak: Find Your Voice, Trust Your Gut, and Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

Speak (Avid Reader Press), Tunde Oyeneyin, $16, amazon.com. Courtesy of Amazon.

If you’ve been putting off finding your voice, now’s the time to book yourself a session with Peloton cycling star Tunde Oyeneyin. In Speak: Find Your Voice, Trust Your Gut, and Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, she lays out the tools you need to pedal forward in life. It starts with a vision and a willingness to set out on a ride that may not happen in a day—or even a year—but in the belief that you’ll actually get to where you want by battling that uphill climb, one stroke at a time.

Michelle Obama is hitting the road to promote her new book The Light We Carry and she’s bringing some of her celebrity friends along with her.

The Light We Carry Tour will feature several moderators who will share the stage with our “Forever First Lady” in each city. Due to the high demand, additional dates have been added to the tour.

In Washington, D.C., the tour begins with three nights, November 13-15, at the Warner Theatre featuring Ellen DeGeneres moderating the first two events and Elizabeth Alexander on the final night. The other dates will be moderated by a star-studded lineup of speakers including Gayle King (11/18), Hoda Kotb (11/19), Tyler Perry (12/2 + 12/3), David Letterman (12/5), Heather McGhee (12/6), Conan O’Brien (12/9), Tracee Ellis Ross (12/10), Michele Norris (12/11), and closing out with Oprah Winfrey (12/13).

In a statement, Obama shared that she’s excited to hold a dialogue with the moderators and to engage audiences across the country.

“For me, The Light We Carry book tour will be about starting important conversations and digging deeper into the questions that all of us are grappling with as we live through uncertain times,” said Obama. “I can’t wait to get back on the road and dive into it with such a thoughtful, impressive group of moderators.”

Back in July, Obama first announced that a follow-up to her incredibly successful first book Becoming would be released this fall.

“This book is a collection of stories and practices that have helped me sort through all the challenges and questions that keep us up at night: How do I know I’m good enough? How do I bring my whole self to the table? How can I overcome my fears?” she said at the time.

“I never thought I would be the author of one book, let alone two. But I’ve found that writing this has been a way for me to gather my thoughts and find more clarity during this time,” she added. “So, I hope this book means as much to you as it does to me.”

The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times is scheduled to be released on November 15, 2022.