TRANSCRIPT: White House African American History Month 'listening session' and attendees list

buzzz worthy. . .

At the start of Black histroy Month President Donald Trump met with African American members of his staff and from  the community to reflect on some of the accomplishments of Black Americans.  Prsident Trump acknowledged his appreciation for the contribution of African Americans and desire to honor that heritage mre. Below are highlighted quotes from teh President's remarks and a list of attendees: AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY: “During this month, we honor the tremendous history of the African-Americans throughout our country, but the world when you really think about it. Their story is one of unimaginable sacrifice, hard work and faith.” POTUS then noted he traveled to parts of the country during the campaign to places he was not familiar with, saying he met some “incredible people” from the African-American community. POTUS said his HHS secretary nominee Ben Carson will do a great job, noting the job covers more than housing policy. Trump also noted last month’s Martin Luther King, Jr., birthday celebration and MLK’s “incredible example was unique in American history.” “I am very proud now that we have a museum on the [National] Mall where people can learn about Rev. King, some of the other things - Frederick Douglass is an example of somebody who’s done an amazing job and is being recognized more and more. Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks. I’m proud to honor this heritage. And we’ll be honoring it more and more.” … INNER CITIES: “We’re going to need better schools, and we need them soon. We need more jobs. We need better wages, much better wages. We're going to work very hard [inaudible]. We need safer communities… I’m ready to do my part. I will say this: We’re going to do this together.” … CHICAGO VIOLENCE: “It’s a great idea,” Trump said of possible meeting involving gang leaders and the possibly of social programs starting up if violence can be reduced. “If they’re not going to solve the problem - and what you’re doing is the right thing - then we’re going to solve the problem for them. Because we’re going to have to do something… What’s happening in Chicago should not be happening in this country.” .. MEDIA: “A lot of the media is actually the opposition party. They’re so, uh, biased. It’s a disgrace. Some of the media is fantastic and fair. So much of the media is opposition party, knowingly saying incorrect things. It’s a very sad situation. But we seem to be doing well. … We won, so maybe they don’t have the influence they think.” Full list of attendees, per the White House: Mr. Armstrong Williams, Howard Stirk Holding Broadcast Group Mr. Darrell Scott, Pastor, New Spirit Revival Council  Ms. Belinda Scott, Wife of Darrel Scott  Mr. James Davis, National Diversity Coalition Mr. Gerard T. Robinson, American Enterprise Institute  Mr. Earl Matthews, Lt. Col US Army (Retired) Mr. Paris Dennard, Thurgood Marshall's College Fund/ CNN Contributor The Honorable Bill Cleveland, Former Vice Mayor of Alexandria, VA, Retired Capitol Hill Police Officer  Dr. Ben Carson, HUD Secretary-designee African American Members of the Trump Administration Ms. Omarosa Manigault, Director of Communications, OPL Mr. Landon Davis, Department of the Interior Mr. Ashley Bell, Department of State Ms. Lynne Martine Patton, Department of Housing and Urban Development Mr. Daris Meeks, Director of Domestic Policy, OVP Mr. Ja'Ron Smith, Domestic Policy, Urban Development and Revitalization Ms. Mary Elizabeth Wells, Political Affairs Ms. Leah LeVell, Communications Ms. Monica Alexander, OPL Ms. Kara McKee The White House said several celebratory Black History Month events are planned throughout February.