Dr. John Boyd, Jr. Blog Site

Kings Landing Women’s Service Club
P.O. Box 68024
Baltimore, MD 21215
410-663-3199
Marge Green, President Linda Hursey, Secretary

12-28-11
Kings Landing Women Host 37th Annual MLK Jr. Breakfast

The Kings Landing Women’s Service Club will hold its 37th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast on Monday, January 16, 2012 at Martin’s West, 6817 Dogwood Road, Woodlawn, MD.
This year’s featured speaker is John W. Boyd, Jr. Founder and President of the National Black Farmers Association. Mr. Boyd is one of America’s most effective defenders of civil rights. He has been featured in The Washington Post, “60 Minutes,” “Nightline,” CNN and as ABC News Tonight’s “Person of the Week.” In 1995, Boyd founded the National Black Farmers Association after encountering the USDA’s discriminatory practices first-hand and meeting many more black farmers who shared this experience. Boyd soon led NBFA members in a march on the White House, met with President Clinton and testified before Congress. Due to his efforts, the plight of black farmers caught the nation’s attention.
Mr. Boyd’s pursuit of justice continues in his work with the NBFA and as an organizer of the Fairness Now for Black Farmers rallies.
Music for this event will be provided by the world renowned Gospel Recording Artist Reverend Anthony Brown of Baltimore.
This year’s honorees include Mothers and Grandmothers Against Violence God’s Way, Take Charge Juvenile Diversion Program, The Lacey B. Ivory Foundation, The Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women, Black Professional Men and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority – Alpha Zeta Chapter. Past honorees include Women Accepting Responsibility (WAR), Sisters Network – Baltimore, Urban Leadership Institute (ULI), The Roots of Scouting, WO-Be-CO – Women Behind the Community, Vulcan Blazers, Beta Sigma Tau Fraternity, The Top Ladies of Distinction, National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa – Gamma Chapter and the Chick Webb Recreation Center.
The Kings Landing Women’s Service Club’s celebration honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is the oldest celebration of its kind on the East Coast. Founded over 35 years ago in Maryland, the goal of the breakfast is to bring together people from all communities to celebrate the life and teachings of Dr. King.
Tickets are $40 per person and a table of 10 is $400. Tickets and information can be obtained by contacting (410) 663-3199.

Black Farmer Settlements ‘Long Overdue’ (VIDEO)

Message flagged Thursday, October 27, 2011 10:48 PMMessage body
For Immediate Release / Thursday, October 27, 2011

HISTORIC BLACK FARMERS SETTLEMENT RECEIVES COURT APPROVAL

John Boyd and Team Mark Achievement After 12 Year Effort

WASHINGTON, DC – John W. Boyd, Jr., founder and president of the National Black Farmers Association, hailed the ruling that Federal Judge Paul L. Friedman of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued tonight granting the motion to certify and approve the settlement in the historic Black farmers discrimination case.

In his ruling https://ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_public_doc?2010cv1053-43, Judge Friedman wrote: “Today, because of a Congress that was willing to once again waive the statute of limitations and to appropriate $1.25 billion to help further redress the historic discrimination against African-American farmers, the Court is pleased to approve the settlement agreement proposed by the Moving Plaintiffs, and endorsed by the United States, as fair, reasonable, and adequate. It will also approve the appointment of neutrals who will participate in the implementation agreement. This settlement is the product of extraordinary efforts by private litigants and their counsel, by the Congress, and by the Executive Branch. The Court joins all of those parties in hoping that it will bring class members the relief to which they are entitled.”

John Boyd said tonight: “This is a very important step that should provide assurance to the Black farmers that each of their cases will now move towards a resolution. Tonight we must honor Judge Friedman, Congress, the Obama Administration – including the Departments of Agriculture and Justice – and each of the individuals who worked tirelessly on this case. Over the years I have found Judge Friedman to be fair and on many occasions he has done everything in his power to move this case towards a final resolution. We will always appreciate the work he did to achieve justice for the nation’s Black farmers.”

Boyd and the team that has supported the organization’s efforts on behalf of the nation’s black farmers, devoted much of their professional careers since 1999 to the work on behalf of these farmers.

Through this 12 year process there were two historic Congressional steps – the passage of $100 million in the Farm Bill in 2008 that re-opened the Black farmers case that had been shut to tens of thousands of claimants, and the passage of $1.15 billion to fund the settlement.

Boyd’s efforts have been chronicled by the national press throughout this effort that has involved working with three presidential administrations and their leadership at the Departments of Agriculture and Justice, working with Congress, and a relentless strategy to keep the issue of the Black farmers in the news through public events (including rallies, marches, and press conferences), communications and policy efforts, conferences and more.

“Today is an important day, in fact a truly historic day for the nation’s black farmers and for all of those who worked so hard to give every farmer their day in court so they may be compensated for the government’s discrimination,” said John Boyd.

This action by the Court is the critical step that now puts this long journey into a final – yet lengthy – phase for compensating the thousands of late filers who were discriminated against by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, never had their cases heard on the merits, and finally won a new settlement and passage of $1.25 billion in funding for payments passed through Congress and signed into law by President Obama on December 8, 2010 at the White House.

“It is also important for the farmers to know that all cases must be adudicated before the payments go out to the farmers,” said Boyd. “After all we have been through – justice always finds its way home. I have been praying for this day.”

BACKGROUND

Highlights of John Boyd & NBFA’s Work:
• Meetings with President Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama and White House staffs
• Meetings with every agriculture secretary between 1999 and 2011
• Congressional meetings and calls with leadership, committee members and rank and file members and staff
• Congressional testimony multiple times
• Written materials including press releases, statements, policy documents, report/study and more
• Hundreds of news media articles, TV segments and radio interview segments

Highlights of the Work for Justice Since 1999:
• Rally outside U.S. District Court – 1999
• Tractor rally at USDA – August 2002
• 200 mile mule ride and rally at USDA – November 2003
• USDA protests – 2006, 2009, 2010
• Rallies across the nation and tractor ride through Washington, DC – 2011
• Numerous events and press availabilities in between

For Immediate Release / Thursday, October 27, 2011

HISTORIC BLACK FARMERS SETTLEMENT RECEIVES COURT APPROVAL

John Boyd and Team Mark Achievement After 12 Year Effort

WASHINGTON, DC – John W. Boyd, Jr., founder and president of the National Black Farmers Association, hailed the ruling that Federal Judge Paul L. Friedman of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued tonight granting the motion to certify and approve the settlement in the historic Black farmers discrimination case.

In his ruling https://ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show_public_doc?2010cv1053-43, Judge Friedman wrote: “Today, because of a Congress that was willing to once again waive the statute of limitations and to appropriate $1.25 billion to help further redress the historic discrimination against African-Americans farmers, the Court is pleased to approve the settlement agreement proposed by the Moving Plaintiffs, and endorsed by the United States, as fair, reasonable, and adequate. It will also approve the appointment of neutrals who will participate in the implementation agreement. This settlement is the product of extraordinary efforts by private litigants and their counsel, by the Congress, and by the Executive Branch. The Court joins all of those parties in hoping that it will bring class members the relief to which they are entitled.”

“This is a very important step that should provide assurance to the Black farmers that each of their cases will now move towards a resolution. Tonight we must honor Judge Friedman, Congress, the Obama Administration and each of the individuals who worked tirelessly on this case. Over the years I have found Judge Friedman to be fair and on many occasions he has done everything in his power to move this case towards a final resolution. We will always appreciate the work he did to achieve justice for the nation’s Black farmers.”

This is the critical step that now puts this long journey into a final – yet lengthy – phase towards compensating the thousands of late filers who were discriminated against by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, never had their cases heard on the merits, and finally won the new settlement and passage of $1.15 billion in funding for payments passed through Congress and signed into law by President Obama on December 8, 2010 at the White House.

Boyd and the team that has supported the organization’s efforts on behalf of the nation’s black farmers, devoted more than a decade to this case. Boyd and this team have devoted much of their professional careers since 1999 to the work on behalf of these farmers.

Boyd’s efforts have been chronicled by the national press throughout this effort that has involved working with three presidential administrations and their leadership at the Departments of Agriculture and Justice, working with Congress, and a relentless strategy to keep the issue of the Black farmers in the news through public events (including rallies, marches, and press conferences), communications and policy efforts, conferences and more.

“Today is an important day, in fact a truly historic day for the nation’s black farmers and for all of those who worked so hard to give every farmer their day in court so they may be compensated for the government’s discrimination,” said John Boyd. “We are supportive of the steps taken by Congress, the White House, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and todays Court approval said Boyd. We look forward to a hearing on the fairness of the distribution of legal fees. This issue should not hold up or slow down a single payment to the farmers, but must be resolved by the court in an appropriate manner.” It is also important for the farmers to know that all cases must be adudicated before the payments go out to the farmers said Boyd. After all we have been through justice always finds its way home, I have been praying for this day Boyd concluded.

Highlights of the work of Boyd and his team include:
• Meetings with President Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama and White House staffs
• Meetings with every agriculture secretary between 1999 and 2011
• Congressional meetings and calls with leadership, committee members and rank and file members and staff
• Congressional testimony multiple times
• Written materials including press releases, statements, policy documents, report/study and more
• Hundreds of news media articles, TV segments and radio interview segments

Highlights of Boyd’s events since 1999:
• Rally outside U.S. District Court – 1999
• Tractor rally at USDA – August 2002
• 200 mile mule ride and rally at USDA – November 2003
• USDA protests – 2006, 2009, 2010
• Rallies across the nation and tractor ride through Washington, DC – 2011
• Numerous events and press availabilities in between

Examples/highlights of press coverage of Boyd’s efforts:
• USA Today, The New York Times, The Washington Post, C-SPAN, Associated Press, Reuters – August 2002
• ABC World News Tonight – Person of the Week, National Public Radio, The Washington Post, Roll Call – November 2003
• CBS Evening News – Eye on America – December 2004
• Roll Call cover story – 2008
• The Washington Post cover story – 2009
• The New York Times – Editorial: Pay Up – February 8, 2010
• CNN feature stories – 2010
• And more every year from 1999 through present

NBFA Statement on the signing of the US Trade Agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama
October 20, 2011

For Immediate Release

John Boyd President of the National Black Farmers Association Released
the Following Statement on the signing of the US Trade Agreements with
Korea, Colombia and Panama

This past June, I had the opportunity to meet with United States Trade
Representative Ron Kirk. We discussed ways to improve trade
opportunities for Black and other minority farmers, including the
Korea, Colombia and Panama agreements. The NBFA supported the passage
of the implementing bills for these agreements and is honored to take
part in the signing ceremony at the White House with President Obama
and Ambassador Kirk.

We appreciate the leadership of Ambassador Kirk and other leaders of
Congress to make this a reality. We know it was not easy. But these
trade bills will open new doors of opportunity for America’s farmers
and ranchers. This is another example of the Obama Administration
improving lives in rural America, which is the NBFA’s top priority.

Below is further information on each of the three agreements, taken
from USTR.gov and other sources. Members can visit www.ustr.gov/fta or
the USDA website for more details, to take full advantage of the
agriculture export opportunities these agreements offer.

Korea: The United States is already South Korea’s top supplier of
agriculture products, including of a broad variety of farm products
such as almonds, fresh cherries, hides and skins and corn. The
U.S.-South Korea trade agreement creates new opportunities for U.S.
farmers, ranchers and food processors seeking to export to South
Korea’s 49 million consumers, giving American agricultural producers
more market access in two ways – by getting rid of tariffs charged
when U.S. exports come into South Korea, and by laying out a framework
to tackle other barriers to U.S. exports –even those that might arise
in the future.

Colombia: Colombia is an important market for America’s farmers and
ranchers. In 2010, the United States exported $832 million of
agricultural products to Colombia, the second highest export total in
South America. Top U.S. exports include wheat, corn, cotton, soybeans,
and corn gluten feed. Upon implementation of the Colombia TPA, U.S.
exporters will receive immediate duty-free treatment on products
accounting for almost 70 percent of current trade.

Panama: In 2010, the United States exported over $450 million of
agricultural products to Panama, more than double U.S. agricultural
exports to Panama in 2005. Top U.S. exports were corn, soybean cake
and meal, wheat, rice, and horticultural products. Upon implementation
of the Panama TPA, U.S. exporters will receive duty-free treatment on
products accounting for more than half of current trade, with tariffs
on most remaining agricultural products phased out within 15 years.
Moreover, the two countries signed a far-reaching agreement on
sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures and technical standards that
eliminated long-standing regulatory barriers faced by a variety of
U.S. products in the Panamanian market

For Immediate Release / Monday, October 17, 2011

BASKERVILLE, – John W. Boyd, Jr., founder and president of the
National Black Farmers Association released the following statement
this morning:

“Today America lost an important leader. The passing Elouise Cobell
last night was too soon – she still had much to contribute – but not
before she led the successful national movement and lawsuit against
the U.S. government for mismanagement of American Indian land
royalties that resulted in the historic settlement that was signed
into law this past December by President Obama. In fact in her death
we are reminded of the many accomplishments she achieved including
economic development gains for Indian Country.”

“For many years the Black farmers and the Native American leaders
worked together on the landmark legislation providing funding for the
settlements in the discrimination cases we sought to resolve. Elouise
was dedicated and always had the best interests of the American Indian
community in mind. It was a pleasure to be able to work alongside
Elouise and she will be missed.”

“Today, on behalf of the members of the NBFA and our colleagues across
the nation, we join with the Cobell family and Indian Country in
mourning her passing and celebrating the life she lived and all that
she accomplished in her professional and personal life.”

For Immediate Release / Thursday, September 1, 2011

John Boyd and Team Mark Achievement After 12 Year Effort

WASHINGTON, DC – John W. Boyd, Jr., founder and president of the National Black Farmers Association and the team that has supported the organization’s efforts on behalf of the nation’s black farmers, will be one major step closer to achieving justice for the thousands of late filers who were discriminated against by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, never had their cases heard on the merits, and have won a new settlement and passage of $1.15 billion in funding for payments passed through Congress and signed into law by President Obama on December 8, 2010 at the White House.

Federal Judge Paul L. Friedman of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia will hold a hearing this morning at 9:30 am in Washington, DC.

Boyd and this team have devoted much of their professional careers since 1999 to the work on behalf of these farmers.

Boyd’s efforts have been chronicled by the national press throughout this effort that has involved working with three presidential administrations and their leadership at the Departments of Agriculture and Justice, working with Congress, and a relentless strategy to keep the issue of the Black farmers in the news through public events (including rallies, marches, and press conferences), communications and policy efforts, conferences and more.

“Tomorrow is an important day, in fact a truly historic day for the nation’s black farmers and for all of those who worked so hard to give every farmer their day in court so they may be compensated for the government’s discrimination,” said John Boyd. “We are supportive of the steps taken by Congress, the White House, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the court. With that said, we look forward to a hearing on the fairness of the distribution of legal fees. This issue should not hold up a single payment to the farmers, but must be resolved by the court in an appropriate manner.”

Highlights of the work of Boyd and his team include:
• Meetings with President Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama and White House staffs
• Meetings with every agriculture secretary between 1999 and 2011
• Congressional meetings and calls with leadership, committee members and rank and file members and staff
• Congressional testimony multiple times
• Written materials including press releases, statements, policy documents and more
• Hundreds of news media articles, TV segments and radio interview segments

Highlights of Boyd’s events since 1999:
• Rally outside U.S. District Court – 1999
• Tractor rally at USDA – August 2002
• 200 mile mule ride and rally at USDA – November 2003
• USDA protests – 2006, 2009, 2010
• Rallies across the nation and tractor ride through Washington, DC – 2011
• Numerous events and press availabilities in between

Examples/highlights of press coverage of Boyd’s efforts:
• USA Today, The New York Times, The Washington Post, C-SPAN, Associated Press, Reuters – August 2002
• ABC World News Tonight – Person of the Week, National Public Radio, The Washington Post, Roll Call – November 2003
• CBS Evening News – Eye on America – December 2004
• Roll Call cover story – 2008
• The Washington Post cover story – 2009
• CNN feature stories – 2010
• And more every year from 1999 through present

WHAT: Fairness hearing in re BLACK FARMERS DISCRIMINATION LITIGATION

WHEN: Today, Thursday, September 1, 2011
9:30 AM

WHERE: U. S. District Court for the District of Columbia – Ceremonial Courtroom
333 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20001

Press Contact:
Adam J. Segal
The 2050 Group
(202) 422-4673
adam@the2050group.com

September 1 2011 on | By Paul Courson in CNN,

2011 HISTORIC FEDERAL COURT HEARING MOVES BLACK FARMERS ANOTHER STEP CLOSER TO COMPENSATION FOR DISCRIMINATION

John Boyd and Team Mark Achievement After 12 Year Effort WASHINGTON, DC – After a court hearing today, John W. Boyd, Jr., founder and president of the National Black Farmers Association and the team that has supported the organization’s efforts on behalf of the nation’s black farmers, will be one major step closer to achieving justice for the thousands of late filers who were discriminated against by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, never had their cases heard on the merits, and have won a new settlement and passage of $1.15 billion in funding for payments passed through Congress and signed into law by President Obama on December 8, 2010 at the White House.

Federal Judge Paul L. Friedman of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia will hold a hearing this morning at 9:30 AM in Washington, DC. This hearing is the last major step before final court approval of the settlement. The claim submission, claim adjudications and distribution of awards periods will follow. Boyd will be in attendance and will be available for comment following the hearing.

Boyd and this team have devoted much of their professional careers since 1999 to the work on behalf of these farmers.

Boyd’s efforts have been chronicled by the national press throughout this effort that has involved working with three presidential administrations and their leadership at the Departments of Agriculture and Justice, working with Congress, and a relentless strategy to keep the issue of the Black farmers in the news through public events (including rallies, marches, and press conferences), communications and policy efforts, conferences and more.

“Tomorrow is an important day, in fact a truly historic day for the nation’s black farmers and for all of those who worked so hard to give every farmer their day in court so they may be compensated for the government’s discrimination,” said John Boyd. “We are supportive of the steps taken by Congress, the White House, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Court. With that said, we look forward to a hearing on the fairness of the distribution of legal fees. This issue should not hold up or slow down a single payment to the farmers, but must be resolved by the court in an appropriate manner.”

Highlights of the work of Boyd and his team include:

• Meetings with President Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama and White House staffs
• Meetings with every agriculture secretary between 1999 and 2011
• Congressional meetings and calls with leadership, committee members and rank and file members and staff • Congressional testimony multiple times
• Written materials including press releases, statements, policy documents, report/study and more
• Hundreds of news media articles, TV segments and radio interview segments

Highlights of Boyd’s events since 1999:

• Rally outside U.S. District Court – 1999
• Tractor rally at USDA – August 2002
• 200 mile mule ride and rally at USDA – November 2003
• USDA protests – 2006, 2009, 2010
• Rallies across the nation and tractor ride through Washington, DC – 2011
• Numerous events and press availabilities in between

Examples/highlights of press coverage of Boyd’s efforts:

• USA Today, The New York Times, The Washington Post, C-SPAN, Associated Press, Reuters – August 2002
• ABC World News Tonight – Person of the Week, National Public Radio, The Washington Post, Roll Call – November 2003
• CBS Evening News – Eye on America – December 2004
• Roll Call cover story – 2008
• The Washington Post cover story – 2009
• The New York Times – Editorial: Pay Up – February 8, 2010
• CNN feature stories – 2010
• And more every year from 1999 through present

WHAT: Fairness hearing in re BLACK FARMERS DISCRIMINATION LITIGATION

WHEN: Today, Thursday, September 1, 2011 9:30 AM

WHERE: U. S. District Court for the District of Columbia – Ceremonial Courtroom 333 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20001

Press Contact: 

Adam J. Segal

The 2050 Group

(202) 422-4673

adam@the2050group.com