For urban Radio Networks breaking news stories and interviews please join me to welcome april ryan. [applause] i always feel so welcome that politics and prose. Good evening. I am telling you that i want my fellow white house come padres i have known over 20 years to raise your hand. Thank you. [applause] those that work with me in a lot of ways to look halfway decent when i am talking to you. Is a very big night tonight. I want somebody to know with that announcement is i hear it will be interesting i am a White House Correspondent and i am so thankful to be celebrating 20 years now covering for president s but in the midst of all that i became a mother a couple of years ago about 14 years ago and the latest book is one year later with this one came out i am a child of baltimore. I frequent areas where freddy gray was taken into custody i go to church in some of those areas. Of mother had to tell her daughter about issues of race as the organic conversation of well we need to have today because right now obey are very murky. Two years ago my children love to be an outside they want to play with their nerf tip done and i was that the by house they said no. She said because the little girl was killed. She was playing with a toy gun. The backyard has an open field with no fences. You can see from the street into the backyard so my answer was very concerned about something happening. In her battle seven yearold mind did not understand what was happening in the news. So i came home and said yes it is true of but i had to give further truth per car had to show my seven yearold that was killed by a Police Officer shot dead in Cleveland Ohio because this is the reality half to deal laugh you want to give your children sugar and spice and everything nice so after that there were more issues how cannot deal with this in my own home . So i am sitting in my bill that the white house claustrophobic steven not apply so i am watching my city and i am watching the hurt and i and in tears. Guess what . There was a concern it would come my way there were 11 miles away and parents were calling me the closer to home just beat from the president of the United States but dont know about armageddon in your home town. My mother picked up my children for me which was one of the best and another member mother knew i was a bad situation. We didnt tell them why they were endings chlorophyll or why there was no afterschool programs. They just went home. You know you cannot shelter emplace with children so i said we aeronaut far from but just kept going so the next day i will stay home from work maybe 15 miles away. And begin call in the middle of the day the children are lets out early. There were helicopters a shutdown doctors offices, stores, even mcdonalds. Now you know it is a problem. So we went to the storer this time i said get everything that you need because when we were leaving the store my daughter was in the front of the car we both saw a truck going through the maze in the parking lot to flags in the back one happen to be confederate it was like dousing whale on the fire. By daughter said what is that i said it did say Confederate Flag as by reporter hat came on i said this is a sign of hate and dark path she started to cry it was organic but as my eighth child attends a predominantly white wealthy school. Somehow can i discuss matters of race at the white house to america and not talk about it in my own home . The publisher said she is from baltimore, a woman, a mother, they saw that happening in that she would save her son. From the streets and these are conversations that we need to have. March 72014 on airforce one assigned to president obama and asked a question about post racial of the post obamacare i he said that would not stake might election for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 those were massive changes with the fundamental break of the 13th or 14th or 15th amendment they represented the dismantling in this country but moving forward where we cease statesponsored discrimination but dealing with the ongoing when agassi closing those opportunity or achievement gaps that have then passed on from generation to generation with no one piece of legislation but investing in Early Childhood education that publicprivate work getting more africanamericans than stand education rather a sustained effort to take us to more just society. We were on our way to alabama for the 50th anniversary of polities sunday. But who are we . This goes to the heart of the matter its only been 10 days but it is weird to say then president obama. [laughter] but we still have a society that is divided so when it comes to matters of race africanamericans still have the highest numbers with issues of policing are very important traditionally there is the instinctive coming of age truth its is meant to be the lifetime tool to navigate interactions with lawenforcement that could be life for death for some blackmails but now more than ever it is the reality of 60 years later with the dad telling his son that could result in death intentional or not it is unavoidable fact in our community. With my first. Was amazed how white people responded to the Washington Post article detailing the number of murders of black males by police. Approaching 400 nationwide and in Charlottesville Virginia asking if i was shocked and i said no. And was stunned by my attitude i said i am the daughter of a black man and i admit is though common more than anything is part of the black community that will be the drum through spreading the stories and trying to come to grips what comes in happens over and over again with the spotlight on the real issues of race i talked to then president obama and how oh but what she explained and atop to so many parents whose father was against tampa but the book focuses on the whitman morose also increasing the number of head of household going from a man to a women a woman so it has changed and you can legislate but after a while it is the heart and mind to adapt most sacred place are you having these conversations with children . Were you telling them about race . As a Young John Lewis was preparing his mother was not in support to make a clear explanation they did not want their children on the front lines. With the Faith Based Initiative mothers are the ones to have to bear the greatest burden at the end of the day it is the mothers the the primary carriers we have seen that from slavery to reconstruction i am sure the letters today from trade on margin is that the forefront the most successful in this nations history some doors were even close to at the time congressman louis affirmed only 4 percent supported him during that movement it is interesting u. S. Soviet many began stem because dr. King called him the boy from troy to purchase their 300 acres of land for 300 he told the Loveless Family that their home could be bombed and think of that. To have 100 acres of land not stolen and news that because you want to change but of a dynamic in southern alabama . She was totally against it but he marched, he was bruised and bloodied but guess what . It took him and the others to help create the atmosphere to support the Voting Rights act and she said that i am with you but then she literally started to register people to vote for self. So of mother of eric garner beset i can breathe and has president obama in its n and Harry Belafonte how he said he was an activist his mother said never see the inequity in not go to fix it. We are leaders speaking of she is still a leader how her mother influenced her when she was a kid in her church in the youth minister said dr. King is coming to town to say he is a great man trying to make change. Seven of the white parents said i will not do it but she attended the service i encourage you to listen to the heart of mothers. There is another piece to share with you one of the most recognized leaders in the country but the former advisor to barack obama we talk about the importance of women of africanamerican women now imagine the true life story to achieve the ultimate one of the most influential unrecognizable people wear any status is confronted not of a physical condition but in the cross hairs of a jaded mental situation First Lady Michelle Obama would be the whitehouse 1600 pennsylvania avenue to venture out for a box with the personal agenda of her lets move campaign and would move around the white house announced and rarely recognized in the continued and would walk past tourist before the most part its in the white house without any fanfare. This beautiful woman the wife of the leader of the free world was not recognized this tall accomplished woman was nearly invisible to those who encountered her and now dating back decades would take the walks with her to say it makes the point where africanamerican women experience everyday. And reminding us how mrs. Obamacare has been and tactful and that has caused everyone to take another look. This bucket is dear to my heart because epo lot of my personal experiences one thing i will tell you that it is not what they call you but what you answer to. And a tried to bring it to my children are the head their young girls that i travelled. Dont be shy. Thanks for your presentation to be confronted with instances of racial tension on a College Campus this mother said i feel so chagrin looking at how they navigate their way through society they dont see race so how do you respond that my children dont see race . One of my dearest and best friends who is also the author of a book i was complaining because somebody was having a moment she marched with dr. King to help create a just society and said that as we marched for. I said you are right. But they dont understand or feel those racial is to issues. They need to understand the history. My mother thought whenever she drove somewhere she would say that traffic light was made by a black man. The gas mask that would say why she telling me that . And that it would carry one all the time right after 9 11 to the white house and then we might have p. Nets she said to another use is there are of the peanut . [laughter] she taught me the pride of who i come from five generations removed from the last known slave in and of them would have ever imagined i was at the white house. It is those beautiful children with the beautiful mindset to understand what happened because it is still here but we see that today in a mindset to understand if we live in a society you cannot see it you have to spot that when it comes. I hope answered your question. Thanks for your presentation and i come from a society in africa. And over five years there was the confusion between the factions so i left 1979 and then there was the society from this area. And i think that because they showed him that they love him as the children are leaving the country. So what is the best way to let them know . That they are the government or the leader . Is there any one way from this type of situation . That is a very rough situation you have to be very careful how you speak out in places like that. I am sure there is a point and counterpoint to make sure you have your facts together. So when i talk about race at the white house but when i put the facts out there they are irrefutable from incredible sources if you keep doing that people will listen. I dont want to tell you what to do and your life may depend on it but i dont want to cause harm but sometimes there is a consequence but parents have a responsibility for instance. The former prosecutor of the o. J. Simpson trial is a dear friend of mine and in the book. I said give me an interview for your mom. Hed never talked to his mother about race. So to my surprise he started to transcribe his interviews in california and sending it to me and those conversations are in this book. And i am thankful my mother was consistent. Bet you one to impart pet i really say they had a big responsibility mothers teach you influence and maybe the bites are peaceful. And to stand strong silently into go back to this historic teach and that day old man who marched with dr. Dr. King and slept during the Civilrights Movement the man under the tutelage and said this is from this time right now. This is a very important time. And 90 years old. With a talk to w. E. B. Du bois he said this is one of the greatest times i am paraphrasing, it is a time for radical activism that creates change. One of those pieces of history continuing to march and hope that helps. I did not realize this was the topic and having presented all these facts and hasnt transformed the outlook greg secure such aid newsperson. [laughter] and with this very wealthy school predominantly white and they have orders from other countries from asia and mexico is not large but not the majority and to find a way with that. And then my children see all walks of life. And teacher came to me i think they call it sister is immunity . Because they felt like why could we be a part . And the way she handled that she learned to diffuse that in it was very easy. And i dont care about race at all . And not just the talking but how i walk. And my asian friends and my caucasian friends and my hispanic friends that has transcended to both of my kids. That makes me feel good because this is a nation with the majority of children born today are minorities. And then they see the of black art work also the gatherings but there is pride of food we are and we have to come together. And est. Comment to biracial friends one looks like he is white they use other language in front of him. The na anxious to hear the edward. To say my father is black take offense at that word then make them think about what they have said. He doesnt even have to say that. Just say stop. Then i think that sends more of a message then to say in midair to i am black do you know, that . That is a good point. Send the punch first. And then to put black on applications. Tell him i said right on. You have established herself as an excellent White House Reporter with interviews of all the recent president s say enjoy a doing interviews with you and i thank you have more interviews for a radio reporter than anybody did with president clinton. And i wonder how do you cover issues in a slightly different way and how you bring that to attention. How you establish the malaysian juppe the of relationship quick. But when i came 20 years ago people thought i was a militant because rates a race is not always on the of radar. Above the fold are in the block of the news. Who is this kid asking about black issues . So i guess i stood out so i was the anomaly. I did not go there with the agenda and president clinton recognized me i am still known for that question that i kept asking him when we write your book on race . He was supposed to but it didnt happen. Read my first book about that. But then president bush . He is quirky and so am i. But that me asking about the black community he was not thought to be sympathetic to the black community especially around katrina but because i established issues and then with president obama before he ran for president he invited me i was his guest at the table i said he is getting ready to announce. So if they see me at the table that gives them a clue