President Nelson Linder has made a recommendation for those interested to read the book, "The African Awakening." This book explores the rise of youth-led movements and political activism across Africa, highlighting how a new generation is challenging authoritarianism, corruption, and inequality. Using protests, social media, and grassroots organizing, young Africans are demanding democratic reforms and accountability. The book underscores a renewed sense of political consciousness and pan-African solidarity, while also acknowledging the challenges posed by state repression and systemic obstacles. It offers a hopeful yet realistic look at the continent's ongoing struggle for justice and self-determination. You can purchase the book here.

Harvard is challenging the Trump administration's attempt to limit the enrollment and attendance of foreign students, at least temporarily, by filing a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security. The DHS has stated that current international students at Harvard must transfer to another institution or risk losing their legal status in the U.S. Harvard’s attorneys are presenting their arguments in federal court in Massachusetts, as the administration moves to restrict both the university’s federal funding and the status of its international students. Read more here.

Since beginning his second term as president, Trump has released a series of executive orders and memos aimed at law firms that have either been involved in cases against him or employed individuals he considers political opponents. One such order singled out WilmerHale, specifically condemning the firm for hiring Robert Mueller, the former Department of Justice special counsel who led the investigation into potential ties between Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia. Read more here.

A new proposal could prevent Dobie Middle School from shutting down, but it would involve a major overhaul of its administration and staff. Read more here.

Superintendent Matias Segura informed parents, students, and AISD leaders that, due to years of underperformance at Dobie, significant steps were necessary to prevent the state of Texas from assuming control of Austin’s local school system. He presented the community with three options: permanently closing Dobie; closing it for a minimum of two years before potentially reopening; or handing over the school’s management to a charter organization. Read more here.

President Trump overturned a 1965 executive order that mandated federal contractors to take actions to adhere to nondiscrimination laws. Read more here.

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is dedicated to safeguarding students by holding schools and colleges that receive federal funding accountable for addressing antisemitism, islamophobia, racism, and discrimination against students with disabilities.
On Tuesday, around 1,300 Department of Education employees were notified of their layoffs. The civil rights office experienced the highest percentage of staff reductions among all affected programs, losing 243 out of 557 employees, according to an analysis by the non-partisan group Ed Reform Now. Read more here.

Yesterday, the United States was added to the CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist, a research tool that tracks the state of freedoms and civil liberties worldwide. This decision comes in response to what CIVICUS described as President Donald Trump’s "assault on democratic norms and global cooperation." CIVICUS, a global alliance of civil society groups, including Amnesty International, advocates for increased citizen engagement in regions where civil liberties are under threat. The organization also highlighted the Administration’s drastic cut of over 90% in foreign aid contracts and its efforts to curb diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which Trump has referred to as “illegal and immoral discrimination programs,” in an executive action. Read more here.

Target was once one of corporate America's strongest advocates for diversity and inclusion, pledging to support Black Americans following George Floyd’s murder by police in Minneapolis, where the company is based, in 2020. However, less than five years later, the retailer has significantly scaled back its prominent DEI initiatives. Read more here.