::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

(The Slice): On Tuesday outgoing Pres. Donald Trump pardoned and communted the sentencs of 15 people. Most of the individuals receiving executive clemency were Trump loyalists including two people entangled in special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe that failed to lead to Trump's impeachment. Former Trump campaign Chairman Paul Manafort is noticably absent from the list. It is customary for presidents to grant pardons before vacating office. Read the full list of those who got Trump's blessing as one of his final acts in office. This wave of pardoning takes place before the POTUS leaves for Christmaw break in Florida. He released a video on Twitter justifying his defiance of the 2020 election results and why he is still embroiled in a legal battle to remain in office. Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding Executive Grants of Clemency President Donald J. Trump granted Full Pardons to 15 individuals and commuted part or all of the sentences of an additional...

Season 3 to Spotlight  Larenz Tate, Tyrese, Eve, Yandy Smith-Harris,  Omari Hardwick, Jenifer Lewis, Debbie Allen and Five New Bonus Episodes (SILVER SPRING, MD) - July 28, 2020 -  TV One's original auto-biographical series  UNCENSORED  resumes for its third season with premiere episodes  debuting on  Sunday, September 6  at  10 P.M. ET/9C .  The edgy docu-series explores the private lives of some of today's most notable personalities including actor  Larenz Tate , singer/actor  Tyrese,  rapper/TV personality  Eve , producer/TV personality  Yandy Smith-Harris , actor  Omari Hardwick , actress/singer  Jenifer Lewis  and actress/choreographer/director  Debbie Allen . This season also includes five bonus episodes including  UNCENSORED : Black Girl Magic ,  UNCENSORED : Scandals ,  UNCENSORED : Hip-Hop ,  UNCENSORED : Black Hollywood  and  U N...

- - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION      This year, National Mental Health Awareness Month coincides with one of the most complex and challenging periods in our Nation's recent history -- combatting the coronavirus pandemic.  Not only has the virus caused immense physical suffering and loss for many people, it has also resulted in mental and emotional hardship.  The stress and worry over the health and safety of family and friends, forced isolation, and financial distress can all result in anxiety, depression, substance misuse and abuse, and, tragically, even suicide.  There is no question this is a difficult and unprecedented time for Americans.  Yet, we know that there are ways to help people cope during these uncertain times, and we are committed to caring for those in need.      Mental illness can affect anyone and can develop at any time.  Its effects spread well beyond the...

NATIONAL PHYSICAL FITNESS AND SPORTS MONTH, 2020 - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION     During National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, we encourage all Americans to maintain more physically active and healthy lifestyles, which can help improve our overall well-being.  We also recognize the important role that sports play in American society and the ways sports help unite us.  Through friendly competition, the development of lifelong skills and character traits, and memorable times spent with family and friends, sports help bring communities together, entertain us, and improve our health.     As our Nation continues to practice social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, regular physical activity at home can be an effective way to improve and maintain physical fitness.  Even during this difficult time, Americans should strive to engage in the recommended amounts of physical activity -- a...

I wish all Muslims, both in the United States and across the world, a blessed and peaceful Ramadan. For millions around the globe, this holy month is an opportunity to renew and strengthen their faith through rigorous fasting, devout prayer, reflective meditation, reading the Quran, and charitable deeds.  These acts are closely aligned with the universal values that the Islamic faith promotes—peace, kindness, and love and respect for others. Over the past months, we have seen how important the power of prayer can be during challenging times.  Today, as the holy month of Ramadan commences, I pray that those who are observing this sacred time find comfort and reassurance in their faith. Ramadan Mubarak.

SECOND CHANCE MONTH, 2020 - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION        As Americans, we believe that every person has unbound potential.  It is therefore important that we offer former inmates who have served their sentences and learned from their earlier mistakes the opportunity for redemption through a second chance to become productive members of society.  During Second Chance Month, we celebrate those who have set out to create better lives following incarceration and recommit to helping former inmates contribute to the strength and prosperity of our Nation.      In 2018, I signed into law the First Step Act, landmark legislation that brought needed reform to our criminal justice system.  The First Step Act reduced penalties and eliminated the three-strike mandatory life sentence provision for certain non-violent offenders.  This legislation also expanded judges' discretion to...

Today, we celebrate the 200th birthday of Susan B. Anthony, a fearless patriot who fought tirelessly so that all Americans could enjoy the many blessings of liberty, regardless of their sex or race. Susan B. Anthony passionately pursued the right of women to vote and participate in the democratic process.  The groundwork she laid paved the way for the ratification of the 19th Amendment—frequently referred to as the Anthony Amendment—in 1920.  Today, as we celebrate her 200th birthday, we also celebrate a century since the adoption of this historic amendment and the remarkable contributions of women to the strength and success of the United States.  Our country has never been stronger, and, from coast to coast, women who share the same conviction as Susan B. Anthony are helping take our Nation to new heights. In celebrating Susan B. Anthony, we also pause to recognize her courageous work as an advocate for the sanctity of all human life.  Susan B. Anthony understoo...

Nashville, TN (January 31, 2020)  –  RCA Inspiration  has partnered with acclaimed three-time GRAMMY ®  nominated artist, songwriter, and producer  Mali Music  and will be releasing new music in 2020 starting with the single  “Let Go.”  In partnership with RCA Inspiration and Mali’s imprint,  K Approved Enterprises , “ Let Go” is available today on all digital music providers. Mali Music also released a new lyric visual for “Let Go” via his YouTube channel. Written by Mali Music and produced by  David “D1” Grant, Jr ., “Let Go” showcases the distinctive blend of contemporary soulful R&B, hip-hop and inspirational conscious lyricism that have garnered Mali critical and widespread acclaim as one of the music industry’s most compelling creators, with Mali speaking on common temptations we face in life and being strong in spirit facing God. Reaching fans across R&B, hip-hop, gospel, and urban contemporary genres, Mali...

“Come Home” to T.D. Jakes’ Legendary WOMAN, THOU ART LOOSED! Grand Finále Conference September 10-12 in Atlanta, GA Dallas   , TX   -- Bishop T.D. Jakes recently announced the grand finále of his legendary Woman, Thou Art Loosed! Conference – a triumphant gathering spanning over decades that has miraculously influenced the lives of multiple generations of women.  Woman Thou Art Loosed! (WTAL) will celebrate a journey across more than two decades of terrain at a homecoming back where it all began in Atlanta, GA.   T.D. Jakes extends an invitation to women in every continent looking to disrupt the status quo in their lives. “Come home” to healing, wisdom, and freedom at this year’s homecoming-themed Woman, Thou Art Loosed! Conference, September 10-12, 2020, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.  Be a part of history in the making, while nurturing your spirit in the midst of extraordinary speakers an...

- - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION        Every person -- the born and unborn, the poor, the downcast, the disabled, the infirm, and the elderly -- has inherent value.  Although each journey is different, no life is without worth or is inconsequential; the rights of all people must be defended.  On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, our Nation proudly and strongly reaffirms our commitment to protect the precious gift of life at every stage, from conception to natural death.      Recently, we have seen decreases in the total number and rate of abortions in our country.  From 2007-2016, the most recent period of analysis, the number and rate of abortions decreased by 24 percent and 26 percent, respectively.  The rate of teen pregnancies -- the vast majority of which are unplanned -- has almost continuously decreased over the last quarter century, contributing to the...

THE JEFFERSONS  IS "MOVIN' ON UP" TO THEIR  45TH ANNIVERSARY Tune In to TV One For A 48-Hour Marathon Beginning  January  18 To Take A Nostalgic Look Back At The Pioneering Sitcom SILVER SPRING, MD - January 17, 2020 - TV One  commemorates the 45th Anniversary of the trailblazing sitcom  THE JEFFERSONS  with a milestone marathon. Starting on  Saturday, January 18  at  6 a.m. ET  and running through  Monday, January 20 , ending at  6 a.m. ET ,  The Jeffersons  marathon will showcase  96 fan-favorite episodes  from the series debut to the finale. "The huge success of last year's live reboot of  The Jeffersons  is a strong testament of just how beloved the series is and that it remains relevant in today's pop culture, said  Dexter Cole , TV One's SVP, Scheduling & Acquisitions.  "We are proud to pay homage to the longest-running African-Amer...

- - - - - - -  BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION        Human trafficking erodes personal dignity and destroys the moral fabric of society.  It is an affront to humanity that tragically reaches all parts of the world, including communities across our Nation.  Each day, in cities, suburbs, rural areas, and tribal lands, people of every age, gender, race, religion, and nationality are devastated by this grave offense.  During National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to eradicate this horrific injustice.      Trafficking crimes are perpetrated by transnational criminal enterprises, gangs, and cruel individuals.  Through force, fraud, coercion, and sexual exploitation of minors, traffickers rob countless individuals of their dignity and freedom, splinter families, and threaten the safety of our communities.  In all its forms, human...